Families of Malaysians still missing following the glacial flash floods in Nepal last month are scheduled to meet with five Malaysian government agencies this Sunday to seek updates and discuss the next steps in the search and relief efforts. The meeting, organized by Wisma Putra, will begin at 10 a.m. and allow two representatives from each affected family to attend.
Subramaniam Murugaya, spokesman for the group Malaysia Solidarity: Families in Hope, said families have not received any formal updates since the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) withdrew from Nepal on September 14. He emphasized the need for clear communication regarding the search operations and any findings made by SMART during their deployment.
The government agencies involved in the meeting include the Attorney General’s Chambers, National Registration Department, Social Welfare Department, National Disaster Management Agency, and National Security Council. Murugaya noted that families have been following developments primarily through Nepalese media outlets while awaiting official word from Malaysian authorities.
According to Murugaya, recent reports indicated that the Nepal government is considering legal provisions to address the status of thousands reported missing after the floods, including the issuance of death certificates to facilitate inheritance, insurance claims, and compensation matters. He raised the question of whether Malaysia would be able to adopt similar measures to provide closure for the families.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan previously noted that in Nepal, a death certificate may be issued three years after a person is declared missing, compared to seven years under Malaysian law.
In addition to seeking updates, families intend to discuss the possibility of a financial relief moratorium to ease their burdens. Murugaya highlighted that some families are struggling to meet obligations such as car and housing loans, with students in the affected families continuing their studies. He referenced the six-month repayment moratorium granted to borrowers during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 as a potential model, which allowed certain loan deferrals to assist with cash flow.
Murugaya also discussed the emotional and procedural difficulties faced by families due to the uncertainty surrounding their missing relatives. Without clarity on the time and circumstances of their loved ones' deaths, families are unsure how or when to perform final rites. He shared that some families are also encountering challenges in accessing funds belonging to the missing individuals.
The meeting aims to address these pressing concerns as families seek closure and practical support following the devastating floods in Nepal on August 26.