S Puvaneswary, Kuala Lumpur (2011-01-31)

MALAYSIANS have been advised to defer non-essential travel to Egypt in view of escalating anti-government protests there, while those already within the country have been told to shun high-risk areas.

Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, A Kohilan Pillay, asked Malaysians to wait for the situation to stabilise before considering a trip to Egypt.

There are more than 10,000 Malaysians in Egypt, but there have been no reports of any being caught in the violence so far.

Meanwhile, outbound travel agents who had sold tour packages to Egypt for the upcoming Chinese New Year period are waiting to see whether airlines will offer a refund on airfares or a postponement on travel.

Apple Vacations & Conventions' group managing director Desmond Lee said: “From past experience, airlines are very cooperative in such situations.”

Mayflower Acme Tours deputy general manager Abdul Rahman Mohamed said while the company was waiting to resolve the situation with its airline partners, it would offer its customers a choice of either a refund on their packages, a deferment of travel dates or a change of destination.