PETALING JAYA: More than three years after the disappearance of Malaysia Everest 2023 (ME 2023) climber Muhammad Hawari Hashim on Mount Everest, the expedition team is now seeking an official declaration of death from the Nepal government to help ease various matters involving the victim’s family.
ME 2023 Chef de Mission Tan Sri Salleh Mohd Nor said the request had been conveyed to the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Nepal in Malaysia, Mudita Bajracharya, in the hope that the government of the country would consider the matter, reported Sinar Harian.
He said that to date, no official document on the declaration of death has been issued by the Nepal government, although more than three years have passed since the climber went missing.
Muhammad Hawari, who was from Penang and was serving at the Penang Museum at the time, successfully summited Mount Everest on May 19, 2023.
An earlier article had reported that Hawari was believed to have fallen from Camp Four.
A reward of more than RM20,000 had also been offered to trace him.
Salleh said the declaration was crucial to enable Muhammad Hawari’s family to manage various matters, including insurance claims, employment affairs and official documentation.
“In the meeting that was held, the representative of the Nepal government expressed readiness to assist regarding the matter raised.
“The next step is to submit an official letter to the government concerned to seek consideration and further action,” he told reporters at the World Everest Day 2026 (Sagarmatha Diwas 2026) celebration on Thursday.
