Nepal to Help Expedite Status Verification Process for 55 Missing Malaysians

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 30 – The Nepalese government has agreed to expedite the verification process for 55 Malaysian citizens who remain unaccounted for following devastating floods and debris flows in the country.

Communications Minister and Unity Government spokesperson Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil confirmed the commitment during a press conference after Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting. He stated that Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah conveyed the assurance directly to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during a official phone call on Tuesday.

“The Prime Minister said that during the conversation, the Nepalese Prime Minister had conveyed his agreement to help expedite the process of verifying the status of the 55 Malaysians who remain unaccounted for following the disaster in Nepal,” Fahmi reported.

Following the discussion, Prime Minister Anwar instructed Attorney General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar to immediately initiate formal talks with Nepalese authorities to resolve relevant legal processes and jurisdictional matters regarding missing persons declarations.

The natural disaster, which occurred on August 26, was triggered by a massive glacial ice and rock collapse in the upper catchment area of the Lhende Khola in Tibet. The resulting floods and debris flows downstream have claimed 1,451 lives to date.

Local disaster response agencies report that approximately 5,700 individuals—including more than 600 foreign nationals—remain missing across affected regions.

–NMT