54 MALAYSIANS STILL MISSING, MASFIH TO MEET HUMAN RESOURCES MINISTER TOMORROW

KUALA LUMPUR – Representatives of Malaysia Solidarity Families in Hope (MASFIH) will meet Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Ramanan Ramakrishnan tomorrow to discuss the plight of families of 54 Malaysians who remain missing following the Nepal-Tibet flash flood tragedy on August 26.

The meeting, scheduled for Day 64 of the tragedy, will take place at 12.30pm at Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Berhad (HRD Corp), Wisma HRD Corp, Jalan Beringin, Damansara Heights, here.

MASFIH coordinator and spokesperson Ts. Dr. Manivannan Rethinam said the organisation welcomed the opportunity to present the concerns, needs and outstanding issues affecting the families.

He said the meeting was expected to lead to practical and coordinated measures to ensure that all affected families received appropriate assistance, regardless of race or religion.

“For the families, this meeting represents another step towards ensuring that their circumstances are understood and their concerns addressed, rather than leaving them to navigate prolonged uncertainty and its financial, legal and humanitarian consequences on their own,” he said in a statement today.

The meeting follows contact from MITRA director-general Raveendran Nair on October 24, after Manivannan emailed the Human Resources Minister on October 22.

Federal financial assistance still pending

Meanwhile, MASFIH is still awaiting feedback from the Prime Minister’s Office on its proposal to appoint a National Lead Minister and designate a lead ministry to coordinate the Government’s response to the needs of the 54 affected families.

Manivannan said the organisation was also waiting for a decision on the proposed one-off federal financial assistance.

He said many families were experiencing serious financial difficulties as they continued to meet daily living expenses, financial commitments and family responsibilities while remaining uncertain about the fate of their missing loved ones.

According to him, appointing a lead minister and designating a lead ministry would establish a clear point of accountability, facilitate coordination among relevant agencies and ensure that outstanding issues were addressed in a more structured manner.

He hoped a decision on the proposed financial assistance would be communicated without further delay to ease the burden on families facing increasingly difficult circumstances.

Deepavali celebrations overshadowed by uncertainty

Meanwhile, Deepavali on November 8 is expected to be a subdued occasion for some affected families, particularly as 42 of the 54 missing Malaysians come from Hindu families.

Manivannan said some families might not celebrate the festival this year, while others might observe it quietly with their immediate family members.

He said the absence of their loved ones and the continuing uncertainty had deeply affected what would normally be a time of joy, family reunions and celebration.

Beyond the emotional burden, the families were also facing financial difficulties as the cost of living and existing financial obligations continued to mount.

“Timely financial assistance would mean more than monetary relief. It could give families some breathing space to manage immediate financial pressures and observe the festival with greater peace of mind.

“No amount of financial assistance can replace a missing family member or remove the pain of not knowing what has happened. However, meaningful Government support could ease some of the burdens they are carrying,” he said.

He stressed that the appeal was not limited to Hindu families, adding that all 54 affected families deserved fair and compassionate consideration based on their respective circumstances.

52 questions still under AGC review

In a separate development, MASFIH’s request for a meeting with the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) remains pending.

A total of 52 consolidated questions have been submitted to the AGC through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for consideration and review.

On October 26, MASFIH was informed through Wisma Putra that the questions were still being reviewed by the AGC.

Manivannan said the organisation continued to seek clarification on the expected timeframe for a response and the next steps towards resolving legal and procedural issues affecting the families.

He said the families needed more than expressions of sympathy, stressing the importance of clear communication, coordinated action and tangible assistance from the authorities.

“Our position remains clear: no family should be left behind, and no family should have to navigate this difficult journey alone.

“The families have waited for 63 days. As Day 64 approaches, we urge the relevant authorities to translate ongoing discussions into clear decisions, coordinated action and tangible assistance for every affected family,” he said. – DETIK MALAYSIA