Nepal is pursuing legal amendments to waive a three-year waiting period and expedite death certificates for 54 Malaysians still missing following severe August floods and landslides near the border, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan announced on October 18.
The disaster struck Nepal’s Rasuwa district and the Nepal-Tibet border area on August 26, unleashed by heavy rain that triggered flash floods and landslides. The disaster damaged infrastructure and communications, complicating search-and-rescue operations.
While one Malaysian citizen managed to return home safely on October 2, 54 individuals remain unaccounted for. The prolonged uncertainty has left families unable to finalize basic legal and financial obligations.
Diplomatic Talks in Melaka and Parliamentary Plans in Kathmandu
Under current Nepalese legislation, families of disaster victims who remain missing cannot obtain official death certificates without enduring a mandatory waiting period of up to three years.
To bypass this hurdle, the government in Kathmandu is actively preparing legislative changes. Officials confirmed that the Nepalese government is working on the matter and will table amendments to the law in its Parliament as soon as possible.
The Nepalese government is pursuing the legal amendments and will table them to Parliament. Failing that, it will make special arrangements to ensure death certificates can be issued without delay for the 54 Malaysians who remain unreachable.
Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Foreign Minister
Speaking in Melaka on October 18, after officiating the closing ceremony of the 10th National General Conference of the National Solidarity Association (PerSoNa) for the 2025 session, Mohamad explained that the death certificates are necessary for the victims’ families to manage related affairs, including matters involving banks and insurance companies. Families of 54 Malaysians still missing after a major disaster near the Nepal-Tibet border could receive relief from prolonged financial uncertainty once these diplomatic and legal measures take effect.
Cross-Border Haze and Forest Fire Assistance Awaiting Cabinet Approval
Beyond the diplomatic efforts in South Asia, the Foreign Ministry is coordinating with domestic agencies regarding environmental crises in Indonesia.
Aerial firefighting efforts face severe operational hazards due to remote terrain and dense smoke. Highlighting the extreme conditions on the ground, Mohamad noted that visibility is below 50 metres, and the Air Pollutant Index in Kalimantan has reached 1,000, while emphasizing that Malaysia will assess the risks before deciding on air support and will not deploy pilots if conditions endanger their safety.