KUALA LUMPUR, Sept. 7 -- A Malaysian family stranded in Jakarta after their flight home was cancelled has been forced to spend about RM10,000 on alternative travel, accommodation and transport to get back to Malaysia.

Wan Nor Ridani, 29, said his family had decided to travel by car to Surabaya before flying to Senai, Johor, as direct flights from Jakarta to Kuala Lumpur were sold out, Berita Harian reported today.

"We have to think of other alternatives because the airport authorities cannot give any assurance when the situation will return to normal," he was quoted as saying.

The family had already bought new tickets from Jakarta to Kuala Lumpur for tomorrow, but decided not to risk another cancellation as airport operations remained ...