FAMILIES of 54 Malaysians still missing after a major disaster near the Nepal-China border could receive relief from prolonged financial uncertainty, with Nepal considering legal changes to speed up the issuance of their death certificates.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said Nepal was looking at amending its laws or introducing a special provision to allow the certificates to be issued without the usual waiting period of up to three years for people who have disappeared and cannot be traced.
He said the matter was being pursued through diplomatic channels, including discussions with the Malaysian Embassy in Nepal and the Nepalese ambassador, who visited his office last week.
“According to the latest information we received from the embassy and during the Nepalese ambassador’s visit to my office last week, the Nepalese government is working on the matter and will table amendments to the law in its Parliament as soon as possible.
“At the very least, if the law cannot be amended, they will introduce a special provision to allow death certificates to be issued promptly for the 54 Malaysians who remain unreachable and are believed to be missing without trace,” he told a press conference after officiating the closing of the 10th National General Conference of the Malaysian National Solidarity Association (PerSoNa) 2025 session at a hotel in Ayer Keroh today.
Mohamad said the existing rules allowed death certificates to be issued when a death was confirmed, but cases involving people who remained missing could take up to three years to resolve.
The delay has complicated efforts by families to deal with banks, insurance companies and other institutions requiring formal confirmation of a missing relative’s status.
“This will make it easier for their immediate family members to deal with banks, insurance companies and various other parties.
“We are working on this matter and, God willing, it is being processed. We hope it can be resolved as soon as possible,” he said.
The disaster on Aug 26 involved severe flooding and debris flows near the Nepal-China border, with torrents of water, mud, rocks and debris causing widespread destruction to settlements and transport routes.
A total of 55 Malaysians were initially reported missing. One was later confirmed safe and returned to Malaysia in early October, leaving 54 still unaccounted for.
Mohamad said Malaysia would continue working with Nepalese authorities to secure a suitable solution and help the affected families.
In a separate development, he said Malaysia was discussing possible additional assistance to Indonesia to tackle increasingly severe forest fires.
The Foreign Ministry, National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) and National Security Council (MKN) were consulting their Indonesian counterparts on the assistance that could be provided.
Options included helicopters and Bombardier aircraft capable of carrying water for firefighting, although fires in remote areas and thick haze limiting visibility posed challenges to aerial operations.
“The matter is being discussed. I will wait for the outcome of the meeting before presenting it to the Cabinet for approval to send whatever assistance is appropriate to Indonesia,” he said. - October 18, 2026