PUTRAJAYA, Mar 19 (Sin Chew Daily)  — A total of 841 Malaysians intending to return to the country are still stranded in 20 countries across the world as a result of Malaysia's movement control order that went into effect from yesterday.

Deputy foreign minister Datuk Kamarudin Jaffar said India has the largest number of stranded Malaysians at 274.

He said in a statement that so far the foreign ministry has helped 116 Malaysian citizens to return safely to the country, including 113 from Morocco and three from Maldives.

He reiterated that Malaysian citizens are allowed to return to the country under the government's movement control order, but they will be quarantined for 14 days upon their return.

"Malaysian citizens stranded abroad should contact the nearest Malaysian embassy or high commission for assistance."