In a statement, Wisma Putra said checks with the Malaysian embassies in Cairo, Egypt and Amman, Jordan have so far found no records of such a person, nor were there any attempts to contact them for help.

It said it also contacted local authorities in Malaysia to confirm the person’s existence and identity, and had only managed to collect screenshots of social media posts on the incident involving a Dr Nur.

This information has since been passed on to the police, the Immigration Department and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) for further investigation.

The ministry said it also tried to contact two individuals – Dr Aida and Dr Shafiq – who are said to be working in Hospital Kuala Lumpur for more information on Dr Nur, but attempts to contact the pair were unsuccessful.

“The ministry urges the owners of the @iesya_toh and @nurhelizahelmi Instagram accounts to immediately come forward and furnish more information related to Dr Nur.

“Other individuals with authentic information on the identity and existence of this Dr Nur are also urged to come forward and furnish this information by emailing [email protected],” it said.