The Foreign Ministry has identified as Pandian Cheliah the Malaysian who was abducted in Ivory Coast in western Africa.

A ministry statement today said Pandian, 46, who hails from Malacca, is the managing director of a company in Abidjan, the country's main city.

It said Pandian and three other people were abducted on April 4 from Hotel Novotel in Abidjan and that their whereabouts were unknown.

Ivory Coast is in the grips of an uprising as forces loyal to elected Alassane Ouattara are reportedly pressing into Abidjan in a bid to wrest control of the country from incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo.

The statement said the Malaysian government was using diplomatic means and certain quarters which could help to obtain Pandian's release.

It also said that nine other Malaysians and their families in Ivory Coast were safe.

"The foreign ministry keeps in constant contact with them to monitor developments and is working on moving them out of their homes to a safer area.

"However, as the situation is tense in Abidjan, they have been advised to remain at home for the time being," the statement said.

- Bernama