KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is awaiting details of Nepal's proposed special order to expedite missing-person and death certificates for victims still unaccounted for following the Aug 26 floods and landslides.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the proposed measure would apply specifically to victims of the disaster and would not cover previous missing-person cases in Nepal.
He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had contacted his Nepalese counterpart to discuss the proposed measure.
"Under the order, Nepal could shorten the period required to issue missing-person or death certificates from 12 years to 45 days. We are monitoring developments closely.
"We want the executive order or special ordinance to be comprehensive and Malaysia will provide input after reviewing the document.
"The document is necessary because, without it, the victims' families would face difficulties settling various matters," he said in response to a supplementary question from Datuk Mohd Suhaimi Abdullah (Bersatu-Langkawi) in the Dewan Rakyat.
Mohamad said the documents were essential for the victims' next-of-kin to settle matters such as insurance claims, access to bank accounts and other legal affairs.
On Suhaimi's second supplementary question about Malaysia-Nepal diplomatic relations, Mohamad said ties between the two countries remained unaffected by the disaster.
"Malaysia has maintained diplomatic relations with Nepal since independence, and Nepal is a like-minded country.
"Our diplomatic relations have not been affected. In fact, ties have grown closer due to more frequent communication between the two countries," he said.
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