Efforts Continue to Trace, Confirm Status of 54 Malaysians in Nepal
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is continuing efforts to trace and confirm the status of 54 Malaysians who are still reported to be out of contact following floods and landslides in Nepal and China, despite the search and rescue operation in Nepal having ended.
The Foreign Ministry said the transition to a search and recovery operation in Nepal does not mean that Malaysia’s efforts to confirm the status of all the individuals concerned have ended.
According to the ministry, it continues to monitor developments in Nepal following the official announcement by Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority on Sept 30 that the search and rescue operation had ended.
“This transition does not mean that Malaysia’s efforts to confirm the status of the 54 Malaysians who are still reported to be out of contact have ended.
“Malaysia will continue to seek confirmation through the Malaysian Embassy in Kathmandu and the Malaysian Embassy in Beijing, engagement with the relevant authorities, as well as other available official channels,” it said in a statement today.
The ministry said it would continue to verify each case individually based on information obtained from the relevant authorities and available channels.
It will also follow developments in the legal and administrative processes being established in Nepal regarding documentation and procedures applicable to disaster victims who remain out of contact.
“Confirmed developments in each case will continue to be communicated directly to the next of kin of the individuals concerned.
“The public and the media are urged to respect the privacy of the families involved and refrain from speculating about any individual whose status has yet to be confirmed,” the statement said.
In a related development, the ministry said a Malaysian who had previously been reported to be out of contact presented himself at the Malaysian Embassy in Kathmandu on Oct 1.
The embassy verified the individual’s identity and confirmed that he was safe.
The ministry also confirmed that the individual returned safely to Malaysia on Oct 2.
Following his return, the relevant authorities in Malaysia will take a statement from the individual to complete the official records relating to his case.
“The individual will also undergo a health screening, while the Malaysian Embassy in Kathmandu will carry out further verification with the relevant Nepalese authorities and review the records following this development.
“With the individual’s status now confirmed, the ministry’s records show that 54 Malaysians are still reported to be out of contact.
“The ministry will also not disclose any further personal information about the individual in order to respect his privacy,” it said.
UTUSAN