It’s back to ‘normal’, say Malaysians living in Qatar

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians living in Qatar said the situation in the gulf state had returned to “normal”.

They said the initial “scare experience” about food shortages seemed to have passed, with food shelves in supermarkets having been replenished.

Speaking to the New Straits Times , Syed Nurshadir Syed Ibrahim said there was an air of normalcy now.

The engineer with a Singapore government-linked company, who has been living in Qatar for five years, said the panic buying of groceries of two days ago had stopped.

“Groceries are already being replenished on the shelves despite the panic shopping during the early days of the ‘crisis’. Qatar is normally well-prepared for any eventuality.

“I think people now are not panicking even though the situation is very dynamic and fluid. Businesses will be affected, but companies are taking proactive steps to mitigate the blockade,” he added.

Another Malaysian, who wanted to be known only as Ahmad, said business at his place was operating as usual.

“School holidays will be starting in a week and people have made their plans for the holiday. Although airlines from other Arab states stopped operations here, we still have plenty of choices such as Qatar Airways, Oman Air and Sri Lankan Air,” he said.

Ahmad, who has been in Qatar for almost 10 years, said the situation for oil and gas companies in Qatar was more critical.

“This is because there are a lot of restrictions.

“The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are not allowing any ships headed towards Qatar to stop at their ports,” he said.

Muzaisham Omar said everyday activities were going on as usual.

“Malaysians here are safe and sound. There is nothing to be afraid of.

“Please pray that the conflict will end soon,” he said.