The number of Malaysians reported as uncontactable following the floods and landslides in Nepal and China remains at 55, with verification and search efforts continuing despite the return of Malaysia’s Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) from Nepal.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said SMART returned from Nepal on Sept 14 and will brief Wisma Putra in Putrajaya on its deployment and information gathered during search operations.
The team had conducted ground searches and aerial observations using drones in areas that could be safely accessed and where operations were permitted by Nepalese authorities.
Wisma Putra said it will review SMART’s findings together with information from Malaysian agencies and ongoing developments in Nepal to determine the next course of action.
The ministry stressed that the conclusion of SMART’s field deployment does not mean efforts to establish the whereabouts of the Malaysians have ended, nor does it alter their current status.
“The 55 Malaysians remain recorded as uncontactable while the relevant processes to establish the status of each individual continue,” the ministry said.
Based on the latest information received from Nepal, local authorities are continuing search, verification and identification efforts following the disaster.
As part of Malaysia’s support for Nepal’s disaster response, SMART also provided on-site training to Nepalese rescue personnel on drone operations.
Malaysia handed over nine drones to the Nepalese government through the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) for use in disaster-related operations.
Follow-up efforts in Nepal will now continue through the Malaysian Embassy in Kathmandu, which will maintain direct engagement with NDRRMA and other relevant Nepalese authorities.
The embassy will also continue checks with hospitals and relevant agencies and undertake further visits where security conditions and approval from Nepalese authorities allow.
Wisma Putra said efforts involving Malaysians affected by the disaster in China are also continuing.
The Malaysian Embassy in Beijing will remain in contact with the relevant Chinese authorities to obtain information that could help establish the status of Malaysians affected by the floods and landslides.
The government said any verified development involving an individual Malaysian would first be communicated to the person’s immediate next of kin before a public announcement is made.
Wisma Putra also urged the public and media to respect the privacy of affected families and avoid speculation about individuals whose status has yet to be confirmed.
