First Malaysian students arrive home from Syria

The first batch of 47 Malaysian students today arrived at the KL International Airport (KLIA) from Syria, under a government move to get them out of the strife-torn country. The students arrived at 3pm, via Emirates EKO346 from Dubai. Damascus Maahad Dauli student Mohd Affifudin Md Tahir, 22, said it was tough to withdraw money from automated teller machines as the United States had blocked financial transactions in Syria. "We sought the help of students going to Lebanon or Jordan to carry out the transactions for us," the first-year Arab and Syariah diploma student told reporters upon arrival at KLIA here. Damascus University Syeikh Ahmad Kiftaro Abu Nur student, Siti Hanisah Rosli, 23, said prices of goods had soared and varsity entry fees doubled due to the unrest. She thanked Wisma Putra for delaying the return so they could sit for their examinations. Another student at the same university, Saiful Rahimi Mat Yusof, said 50 more students would return from Syria on Sept 29.