Cover image via Mohd Rasfan/AFP
Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp for the latest stories and breaking news.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is urging Malaysians travelling overseas to download and use the MyWorld Alert app, a tool designed to help the government locate and assist citizens quickly during emergencies
The app acts as a direct communication channel between Malaysians abroad and the Foreign Ministry.
MyWorld Alert provides real-time location tracking, lets users instantly contact the nearest Malaysian mission, and sends official, country-specific safety updates based on the user's location.
According to the ministry, the MyWorld Alert app allows officers to know who is in an affected area and how to reach them, making rescue and evacuation efforts smoother during disasters, a need that became clear during the recent floods in Hat Yai.
What the app actually does
The ministry describes MyWorld Alert as a "travel companion" for Malaysians abroad, with features tailored specifically for emergencies:
- Emergency assistance button
Users outside Malaysia can call or message the nearest embassy or high commission directly through the app. It automatically identifies the closest mission and displays the correct emergency contact numbers.- Official updates based on your location
The app pushes real-time alerts on disasters, safety risks, or major incidents in the user's area.- Nearest embassy locator
Travellers can quickly find addresses, phone numbers, and operating hours of Malaysian embassies worldwide.- Two-channel emergency contact
Users overseas can either call or send a detailed message describing the emergency, the type of assistance needed, and, optionally, photos or documents.
When an emergency message is successfully submitted, the app confirms the user's location and tells them: "Your location is currently being detected… Stay calm, and we will keep you informed of any updates".
While in Malaysia, users can still browse embassy listings and safety news, but the emergency call and message functions are only enabled when the app detects that the user is overseas.
Malaysia's Consul General in Songkhla, Ahmad Fahmi Ahmad Sarkawi, said the recent operation to evacuate more than 600 Malaysians stranded in Hat Yai highlighted the importance of Malaysians informing the ministry of their whereabouts
He encouraged travellers to use MyWorld Alert and ensure they have insurance that covers natural disasters.
"Make sure your insurance includes disaster coverage, so that if anything happens, you are protected against any losses," Bernama quoted him as saying.
Malaysia's Ambassador to Thailand, Datuk Wan Zaidi Wan Abdullah, also stressed that having up-to-date information on travellers helps officials move faster in crises.
"We hope that Malaysians will take careful precautions and keep us informed," he said.
Where to get the app
MyWorld Alert is available on:
- Google Play
- Apple App Store
- HUAWEI AppGallery
Malaysian travellers can also scan the QR code on the ministry's official poster or visit the official website for more information.
