Deputy foreign minister Mohamad Alamin told the Dewan Rakyat the matter had been discussed at the ministry level, and later raised with the relevant agencies for their consideration.
“This (proposal) is still being studied. Let us hope the government will agree with the suggestions to provide aid, even if it is little, to our citizens facing charges overseas,” he said when winding up the committee-stage debate of the Supply Bill (Budget) 2026 for his ministry.
Mohamad also said Malaysian consulates would continue to provide their best services to affected Malaysians.
He was responding to Bakhtiar Wan Chik (PH-Balik Pulau) and RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong), who asked whether the government would fund aid, legal or otherwise, for Malaysians facing charges overseas.
Bakhtiar said the government had yet to formulate a policy or provide special funds for overseas legal aid despite 2,207 Malaysians being held in 50 countries for various offences as of Dec 2024.
“Our diplomatic representation is limited to informing their next of kin in Malaysia of the news of their arrests and sharing lists of law firms with the subject and their families, if requested,” said the PKR MP.
Rayer pointed out that around 38 Malaysians are being held in Singapore prisons, awaiting trial for drug smuggling charges.
“We only make statements calling for punishments to be commuted after they have been sentenced to death. What is the foreign ministry’s action to ensure that they are being defended?” asked the DAP MP.
However, Mohamad said Malaysia would stick to its policy of non-interference in legal actions taken against its citizens by other countries, out of respect for their laws.
Separately, he also said the government is aware of a viral video of a former Thai army official allegedly criticising Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim over his role in facilitating the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords between Thailand and Cambodia.
Mohamad said Malaysia would not “respond to any viral issues that did not have diplomatic authority”, and the important thing was that Thai prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul had recognised Anwar’s role in the peace deal.
Mohamad also said the government will consider the view that Malaysia should play a mediating role in peace efforts in Sudan, and needs to discuss the matter in detail as the ongoing conflict in Sudan also affects Malaysia’s interests.
“It is also our priority to see that country return to peace. Malaysia has significant interests and investments in Sudan,” he said, adding Malaysia has experience in mediating several conflicts, including serving as a facilitator for peace talks between Thailand and Cambodia.