Every hour is precious, say families of Malaysians missing in Nepal

 Relatives urge Putrajaya to send search and rescue teams and provide daily updates as uncertainty grows after the Aug 26 floods.

R Manivannan speaking on behalf of the support group for families of Malaysians affected by the disaster in Nepal-Tibet at a press conference at Batu Caves today.

KUALA LUMPUR:

“Every hour is precious. For the families, this is not simply a case of missing persons. They are our parents, our siblings, spouses and children.”

That is the frustration among families of Malaysians missing after flash floods and landslides struck Nepal’s Rasuwa district near the Tibet border on Wednesday.

R Manivannan, the spokesman for Malaysia Solidarity: Families in Hope (Masfih), said the whereabouts of many of the missing Malaysians remained unknown, with the situation made worse by the lack of an official spokesman to provide updates.

“Every second without verified information only adds to our suffering and anxiety,” said Manivannan, whose brother is among those unaccounted for, at a press conference with other family members at Batu Caves today.

The families made five requests to the government, particularly Wisma Putra and the Malaysian embassies in Kathmandu and Beijing.

They want Wisma Putra to issue daily updates on the search and rescue (SAR) operations, and developments from the Nepali and Chinese authorities.

“Even if there is no new development, tell us that there is no new information. At least we will know the matter is being monitored and the search is continuing,” Manivannan said.

The families want special liaison officers to be appointed in Kathmandu and Beijing to communicate directly with representatives from their group, and ensure that information is conveyed consistently to all the affected families.

They also urged the government to use diplomatic channels to obtain immediate permission to deploy a Malaysian SAR team to the affected areas to assist in the search.

“We urge the government to leave no stone unturned, to ensure no potential area is left unchecked, and no diplomatic channel goes unused,” said Manivannan, who added that the group would meet Wisma Putra officials tomorrow.

The mudslide and floods, which struck the Nepal-Tibet border area on the morning of Aug 26, has killed at least 626 people in Nepal, with thousands more reported missing.

Wisma Putra has said 55 Malaysians remain uncontactable, while two people previously reported missing have since been located.

Manivannan also said they were concerned about the lack of information from the Chinese side, as some of the missing Malaysians may have been stranded in Tibet after crossing the border from Nepal.

“There is a possibility that some victims were trapped at the Chinese immigration checkpoint or had crossed the border towards Gyirong or Kerung in Tibet when the floods struck,” he said.

He said the Malaysians reported missing had travelled to Nepal for trekking and religious activities, including Hindu pilgrimages.

According to him, the Malaysians were travelling in three groups – organised by Leaf Holiday, with 23 Malaysians; Dream Tibet Travel & Tours (eight), and Fishtail Tours & Travels (17). - FMT