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Indonesian embassy in Kuala Lumpur halts consular service amid Malaysia's coronavirus lockdown
Services will be reopened after the lockdown period ends in April.
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The Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, during the voting day of the 2014 Indonesian presidential elections on July 5, 2014. (Shutterstock/Masuti)
T
he Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur has announced that it will suspend consular services during the partial coronavirus lockdown in Malaysia and resume operations in April after the policy ends.
The Malaysian government has announced that it will enforce a partial lockdown to restrict the movement of people in order to curb the spread of COVID-19 after the country experienced a recent surge in confirmed cases.
Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced on Monday evening that the policy would be effective from Wednesday until March 31, urging the people to abide by the restrictions, as he added that the country's national security council would meet daily to monitor the situation, The Star reported.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Indonesian Embassy said it would only provide new applications for passport extensions through online registration during the lockdown. Meanwhile, successful applicants who want to pick up their visas and passports will be served as usual.
Services related to the issuance of travel documents in lieu of a passport (SPLP) for Indonesians, visa application, citizenship and other consular services will be resumed on April 1 in accordance with the development of policies made by Malaysian authorities.
Read also: Indonesians in Malaysia remain calm as they prepare for lockdown
The Indonesian mission said it supported the new policy enacted by the authorities to stem the spread of the coronavirus. “The embassy will make sure that all Indonesians [in Malaysia] are protected and healthy,” the statement said.
The embassy further called on Indonesian citizens to avoid mass gatherings, remain vigilant and keep updated on announcements made by the Malaysian government or the Indonesian Embassy itself as well as abide by the rules put in place by Malaysian authorities in order to fight the disease.
Related information from the authorities regarding the movement restriction or partial lockdown can be accessed through a hotline at 03-88882010.
As of Tuesday, Malaysia had recorded at least 566 confirmed cases. Nearly two-thirds of the new cases are linked to an Islamic gathering attended by 16,000 people, including 1,500 from other countries, Reuters reported.
Three Indonesians were also infected at the event.
