KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government hopes parents of students in the Middle East will remain calm.
Reuters reported that Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel last week.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed the attack, describing it as part of the retaliation for the attack on the Iranian consulate in Syria on April 1.
State executive councillor for education Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif said 248 Sabah students were studying in Egypt, 79 in Jordan and nine in Saudi Arabia.
He said the state government, through the Foreign Ministry and Higher Education Ministry, was monitoring the situation in the Middle East and keeping in touch with Malaysian students, especially those in Jordan and Egypt.
He said the state government had experience coordinating, monitoring and repatriating Sabah students during the political crisis in Egypt.
"Just a while ago, I contacted Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin on the matter.
"He said the Higher Education Ministry and Foreign Ministry are prepared for any situation, including repatriating our students if necessary.
"Sabah Foundation director Datuk Seri Ghulam Haidar and I are constantly in touch with representatives from Sabah."
Arifin, who is also Sabah science, technology and innovation minister, said Sabah Foundation student managers in the Middle East were looking after Sabah students in Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
"I hope parents and families remain calm. Let us pray that the crisis will subside so that our children studying abroad can continue their studies in peace, comfort and safety.
"Let us also continue to pray for the safety and wellbeing of our brethren in Palestine, who are facing trials."
