BUTTERWORTH: Malaysia is coordinating the delivery of aid to Nepal following the devastating floods in the country, including the possibility of deploying the Malaysian Special Search and Rescue Team (SMART) to the disaster-struck country, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said the National Security Council (NSC) was in close contact with the Nepalese government to determine the appropriate form of assistance, whether financial aid or the deployment of rescue personnel.
"At the moment, NSC is coordinating whether we should send the SMART team or aid, which we will decide," he told reporters after Friday prayers at Masjid Sembilang here on Friday (Aug 28).
Anwar said several countries, including India, China and Bangladesh, had also provided assistance following the disaster, which he described as occurring on an unprecedented scale.
He said the Foreign Ministry was obtaining the latest list of Malaysians in the affected areas, while efforts to ascertain their status were ongoing.
Anwar also urged the families of Malaysians in the affected areas to contact the Foreign Ministry through the channels provided to facilitate efforts to obtain the latest information.
On Thursday (Aug 28), the Prime Minister instructed all relevant departments, including NSC and the Foreign Ministry, to immediately identify and contact Malaysians affected by the disaster.
Earlier, the Foreign Ministry said 57 Malaysians remained uncontactable following Thursday's floods at the Nepal-Tibet border.
The latest figure was based on reports received from family members, friends and employers as of 11pm on Aug 27. – Bernama
