PUTRAJAYA: A month after the Nepal floods, families of Malaysians still missing in the disaster remain in the dark over their fate, with many questions left unanswered following a meeting with government agencies.
The five-hour meeting yesterday, attended by Wisma Putra officials and representatives from several agencies, left some of the about 50 next of kin frustrated as they continued to seek answers about their loved ones.
“While we appreciate the updates shared with us at the meeting, many of our questions went unanswered, and this is what disappoints us,” said Malaysia Solidarity: Families in Hope spokesman Dr Manivannan Rethinam.
He, however, did not elaborate on the questions that remained unanswered.
At the meeting, the families were briefed on the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team’s (SMART) mission in Nepal and the challenges faced by its personnel there.
They were also updated on the progress of search and rescue operations, as well as other efforts undertaken by the Nepalese authorities.
While expressing appreciation for the SMART team, which spent slightly over a week in Nepal from Sept 5, Manivannan said it was regrettable that the team was unable to conduct operations in the area where the Malaysian victims were last reported missing, near the Nepal-Tibet border.
He said the families also asked SMART officials whether there was still a possibility of finding their loved ones alive.
“They said it was possible if they were stranded in mountainous or remote areas, although the chances were slim.
“We are still hopeful,” said Manivannan, whose younger sister, Komathi, 48, was among the 55 Malaysians missing in the tragedy.
He said police also revealed during the meeting that 98 DNA samples had been collected from the victims’ next of kin.
“Wisma Putra said the Nepalese authorities had informed Malaysia that DNA matching of remains recovered from the aftermath of the disaster would be completed within two months,” he added.
Apart from holding on to hope that their loved ones would be found alive, Manivannan said the families were also facing growing financial difficulties.
“Some missing persons are sole breadwinners. There are repayments to be made for mortgages, car hire purchase and daily expenses.
“Their accounts are inaccessible. Their life and travel insurance payouts cannot be made as long as they are not declared dead,” he said.
Manivannane revealed that one missing couple’s children, who have since been under the care of relatives, might end up at an orphanage.
“It is not that they do not have the funds, but the money is inaccessible. They risk losing their houses, vehicles and other assets,” he said, adding that he had approached the National Registration Department for assistance and written to the Prime Minister’s Department on the matter.
“The Nepalese authorities have said that under their laws, it takes three years to declare a missing person dead and issue a death certificate.
“We seek a moratorium on this, which would really help the families,” he added.
