KUALA LUMPUR: Banks have offered loan repayment deferments and flexible payment arrangements to ease the financial burden on the families of Malaysians affected by the Nepal landslide.
The Association of Banks in Malaysia (ABM) said its members introduced this assistance in early October and reached out to the affected families.
In a statement on Thursday (Oct 22), ABM said the measures aimed to ease the financial commitments for the families of the missing loved ones.
It added that its members also appointed contact persons to guide families through applications, documentation and administrative procedures.
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"We recognise the profound distress and uncertainty faced by the families and next of kin. Their welfare remains our priority," it said.
ABM said it would continue working with Bank Negara Malaysia and other relevant parties to ensure the affected families receive appropriate support.
On Tuesday (Oct 20), the group Malaysia Solidarity: Families in Hope (Masfih) met Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Parliament.
It submitted a 29-page proposal outlining a national humanitarian, legal, financial and diplomatic response for the 54 Malaysians missing following the Aug 26 disaster.
Masfih representative Dr Mannivanan Rethinam said after the meeting the families were facing mounting pressure from banks to continue making payments on housing loans, car loans and credit cards, despite being unable to access the accounts of their missing family members.
