KUALA LUMPUR: Efforts are continuing to locate the 54 Malaysians still missing in Nepal following floods and landslides on Aug 26, with the Malaysian embassy maintaining contact with local authorities despite diminishing prospects of finding them.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the efforts were ongoing even though Nepal had moved into the recovery phase following the conclusion of its search and rescue operations.
"Our embassy remains in contact with tracking posts used by trekkers to explore any possibilities that could assist in efforts to locate the missing individuals.
"We are also continuing to liaise with local authorities to ensure that every possible effort is made to locate them. So far, we have found that the chances of locating the missing individuals are becoming increasingly limited.
"Nevertheless, efforts will continue until all possible avenues have been exhausted," he said in reply to Datuk Mohd Suhaimi Abdullah (Bersatu-Langkawi).
Suhaimi had asked about the status of Malaysian citizens who remained uncontactable following the flash floods that struck Nepal's Rasuwa district.
Meanwhile, Mohamad said only slightly more than 6,000 Malaysians registered on the e-Konsular portal last year, despite hundreds of thousands travelling overseas.
He said the low registration rate made it difficult for the ministry to locate and contact Malaysians during emergencies abroad.
"Travellers should register their travel details, location and contact numbers to enable the ministry to provide assistance when needed.
"Hundreds of thousands of Malaysians travel abroad, but only slightly more than 6,000 register through e-Konsular.
"When something happens, only then do they pressure the government. How are we supposed to contact them if we do not know where they are?" he said.
Mohamad said Malaysians should register before travelling overseas, adding that e-Konsular served as a central database to facilitate assistance, particularly during emergencies.
"Everyone should register. Do not wait until something happens before scrambling to respond. We do not want the situation to become chaotic," he said.
He was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Mohd Isam Isa (BN-Tampin) on measures to increase e-Konsular registration among Malaysians travelling abroad.
Isam said travellers should keep their details and locations updated to facilitate swift action, particularly those participating in high-risk activities such as hiking and expeditions.
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