KUALA LUMPUR: Talks are underway with Nepali authorities to send DNA samples of recovered, unidentified bodies to Kuala Lumpur for matching with family members of missing Malaysians, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan (pic).
The Foreign Minister said the proposal came in light of the challenges faced by the Nepali authorities due to a lack of facilities and infrastructure.
“There is a lack of facilities and infrastructure there.
“Through our embassy, we are also discussing with the Nepali authorities whether they can send DNA samples to Kuala Lumpur for matching with the families of the missing Malaysians,” he said on the sidelines of the Umno annual general assembly here yesterday.
Mohamad said the Malaysian Embassy in Kathmandu is also in discussions with Nepali authorities to confirm the status of the 55 missing Malaysians.
He also said there has yet to be any contact with the missing Malaysians in Nepal.
Meanwhile, Mohamad, who is also known as Tok Mat, said the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) is expected to arrive home today after spending a week in Nepal.
He said the team will submit its report to the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) before any decision is made on the next course of action.
“We will not make any rushed decision, and it will be Nadma that assesses the next course of action.
“The agency will present an assessment report to the government on the next steps.”
Mohamad said Malaysia would definitely consider providing the best possible cooperation to Nepal should it make such a request.
In the meantime, he said the SMART team would hand over its drones to the Nepali rescue authorities for their use.
On Aug 26, devastating floods struck the Nepal-China border.
So far, about 1,500 people have been confirmed killed in the disaster, while 5,649 remain missing.
On a separate matter, Mohamad said the country’s positive image abroad had made it easier for Malaysians to travel to various destinations.
In light of this, he said Malaysians travelling or residing abroad must safeguard the country’s image by complying with the laws and regulations of their host countries.
“Whenever the Prime Minister or I have the opportunity to meet Malaysians abroad, we always urge them to safeguard the country’s image, as Malaysia is held in high regard internationally.
“We do not want that image to be tarnished or compromised, as it could make it difficult for other Malaysians to travel,” Mohamad added.
Mohamad also said Wisma Putra is constantly engaging with other countries to secure travel concessions for Malaysians, including visa facilitation.
He cited a recent concession granted to Malaysians, who no longer require a visa to visit Canada if they already hold a visa issued by the United States.
