He said the ministry would hold further discussions with the students about their plan in either scenario.

“We will see their current situation and the option they prefer, whether they want to continue their studies locally (or not). We also need to consider their qualifications, status and the subjects they are taking.

“But without causing them any undue stress… we want to provide them with counselling or get them to meet our officers to understand their position,” he told reporters after an engagement session in conjunction with the World Conference on Islamic Thought and Civilisation 2024.

Thousands of students in Bangladesh have been protesting since July 1 after a court reinstated a quota for public sector jobs that was abolished in 2018. The protests have claimed over 130 lives.

A total of 123 Malaysians, including 80 students, were brought home from Bangladesh through a special flight on the instruction of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on July 23.