NIGERIA: Be safe

I am currently living in a country where there's only a handful of Malaysian here. There are 5 families in Lagos plus some blokes who are on various assignments with some of the multi-national companies based in Lagos. In the mix, we have Shiela Madu who married a local man many many years ago. 

In Abuja, there's about the same number of us, but from time to time; Khairy from Matrade office in Lagos would announce there are Malaysian currently in Nigeria on attachment as consultants to some other international or reputable local companies in other locale (e.g Port Harcourt, Calabar etc). 

Since there's only several of us here, we know each other quite well and always within contact; just to be on the safe side. 3 years in Nigeria had thought us a lot on being constant contact within the group. Like I mentioned to prospective business group back in Malaysia, it's generally safe but like everywhere else; things can go wrong. So, it's best in to be in contact with the rest of Malaysian here, staff of the High Comm included. 

With the advent of internet, Fb, IG and Low-Cost Carrier... all bundle up together and handphones with front facing camera and selfie stick, it created a bunch of New Age traveller. Info sharing thru Fb and IG sped up the process and voila! The world shrinks even smaller. Some travel with group, a few did a solo trip but my advice is this.... wherever you wish to go please inform your nearest Embassy or High Commission. For every successful solo trip, there were many untold solo trips that went south.

We were planning to go to Brussels, Belgium when the 2016  bombing happened. We had bought ticket a month before when the unthinkable happened. We consulted with the High Comm in Abuja and they told us to send an email about our visit to the Malaysia Embassy in Brussels. We gave them our date of visit, number of visitors and names, our lodging(s) and mobile number. In return, they advised us about the situation (Do's and Don't in Brussels, which areas to avoid, which train station not in operation, compulsory beg search by security and armed forces etc).

Picture in front of the Brussels Stock Exchange 

I was in some part of Asia and the officer at the border  informed me that "be indoors by dusk and make sure if when you have connection (wifi etc.) to inform your contact at destination and back home of your location", make sense too. 

H.E Ambassador Gloria Tiwet (R) with spouse, Mr. Raj (L)

Last August 2018, I was in Abuja celebrating Malaysia's Independence Day with our new Ambassador and spoke to the  Head of Chancery. He spoke of his 'adventure' of attending to domestic dispute between Malaysian ladies and their local partner and a 'rescue mission' not long ago. He mentioned that none of the Malaysian were registered with the High Comm and of course it's not compulsory to do so but chances are, when you're in trouble abroad.... the Embassy or High Comm would normally intervene; because we seek help from them. 

In fact, anything to do between Malaysia and host country, they're to GO-TO people. If there's none in the location you're traveling, just inform to the nearest Malaysia Embassy or High Comm. Be a safe and informed traveler!