A family support group representing victims of flash floods along the Nepal-Tibet border has urged Wisma Putra to provide regular, official updates regarding search and rescue (SAR) operations for 49 Malaysians who remain unaccounted for.
The group, Malaysia Solidarity: Families in Hope (MASFIH), also requested the appointment of a dedicated liaison officer to streamline communications and convey verified information directly to next-of-kin.
Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, MASFIH representative Ts. Dr. Manivannan Rethinam emphasised that over 72 hours have elapsed since the disaster struck without any confirmed updates on the fate of the 49 individuals.
“We are not seeking confrontation. We are seeking answers, coordination, and action,” Manivannan said. “Even if there are no new developments, families have the right to know that search efforts are ongoing and that their loved ones have not been forgotten.”
MASFIH urged that regular status reports include details on search zones, SAR operational progress, and the headcount of individuals rescued or recovered based on data provided by Nepalese and Chinese authorities.
A dedicated liaison officer would establish a single communication bridge between Wisma Putra, the Malaysian embassies in Kathmandu and Beijing, and family representatives, alleviating the burden on families trying to reach multiple agencies independently.
MASFIH raised concerns over discrepancies in official records after nine Malaysians belonging to a specific tour group were reportedly omitted from certain lists issued by Nepalese tourism authorities.
To ensure accuracy, the group called on Wisma Putra, Malaysian diplomatic missions, and authorities in Nepal and China to cross-check and reconcile missing persons registries.
“We have submitted a complete list containing passenger names, passport numbers, and passport copies,” Manivannan explained. “This is why we are requesting a liaison officer to verify this information so that a single, unified list can be coordinated with the Malaysian Embassy in Kathmandu and Nepalese authorities.”
MASFIH clarified that none of the 49 missing Malaysians on its registry have been confirmed found or rescued to date.
Addressing previous reports stating that 36 Malaysians were safe, MASFIH explained that those individuals belonged to a separate travel group that was not located within the primary disaster zone at the time of the flash floods.
According to Wisma Putra’s latest figures, 55 Malaysians remain uncontactable, while two have been successfully reached. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Operations Room in Putrajaya has been operating around the clock since August 27 to coordinate rescue efforts and support affected families. Separately, 72 Malaysians in Darchen, Tibet, China, have been confirmed safe and healthy.
