MASFIH URGES CABINET TO HELP FAMILIES OF 54 MISSING MALAYSIANS

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia Solidarity Families in Hope (MASFIH) has urged the Federal Government to provide immediate humanitarian financial assistance and establish a national coordination mechanism for the families of 54 Malaysians who remain missing following the Nepal–Tibet floods on Aug 26.

Its coordinator and spokesperson, Technologist (Ts.) Dr Manivannan Rethinam, said he had personally contacted all Cabinet ministers via WhatsApp and email to seek their support for two proposals expected to be raised at tomorrow’s Cabinet meeting.

He welcomed positive responses from several ministers and expressed appreciation for their consideration of the families’ plight.

The proposals include appointing Finance II Minister Senator Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan as the national coordinator for the affected families, with the Finance Ministry leading the coordination efforts, as well as providing meaningful one-off Federal humanitarian financial assistance to all 54 families.

Calls for coordinated government action

Dr Manivannan said the families were facing difficulties navigating procedures involving banks, insurance and takaful providers, Bursa Malaysia, unit trusts, the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and other financial and regulatory institutions.

He said one of the main challenges was obtaining essential financial information when an account holder remained missing and the usual consent or authorisation could not be secured.

“MASFIH is not asking for existing laws to be disregarded. Rather, it seeks a lawful, accountable and compassionate mechanism through which exceptional cases can be assessed, with appropriate safeguards for all parties,” he said.

He proposed that the Finance II Minister chair an initial coordination meeting with MASFIH and the relevant ministries, regulators and institutions following Cabinet approval.

An authorised representative could subsequently serve as the day-to-day focal point, with a progress review involving the minister within 30 days of the initial meeting.

Matters beyond the minister’s authority could be referred to the Prime Minister and, where appropriate, the Cabinet.

With the families’ consent, MASFIH is prepared to consolidate their common concerns, facilitate engagement with relevant institutions and communicate progress to those affected.

Seeks meaningful financial assistance

Dr Manivannan also called for substantial, equitable one-off Federal humanitarian assistance to help the 54 families cover essential living expenses and protect their livelihoods for at least six to 12 months.

He said many of the missing individuals were their households’ main or sole breadwinners, leaving their families struggling with food and household expenses, loan repayments, education costs, business commitments and potential loss of income.

He stressed that their immediate needs could not reasonably be postponed until documentation, legal procedures or estate administration were completed.

While acknowledging that the Government would have to determine the appropriate amount, eligibility criteria, delivery mechanism and available resources, he said the assistance should reflect the seriousness and likely duration of the families’ hardship.

The aid should also be extended fairly to all 54 families, regardless of race, ethnicity or religion.

Documentation process may take time

MASFIH welcomed reported positive developments in efforts to expedite documentation concerning the missing persons, including an assurance conveyed by Nepal’s Prime Minister to Malaysia’s Prime Minister.

However, Dr Manivannan said the process of obtaining documentation and resolving financial and estate-related matters could take considerable time, potentially leaving families facing months of uncertainty before they could access assets or settle outstanding obligations.

He urged Malaysia to pursue interim humanitarian assistance and national coordination in parallel with the documentation process.

“This is prudent contingency planning, not a lack of confidence in Nepal’s efforts. If documentation is completed sooner, the families will welcome that outcome. If the process takes longer, a support mechanism would already be in place,” he said.

He also stressed that missing persons must not automatically be treated as deceased, adding that families continued to hope for the safe return of their loved ones while seeking lawful arrangements to manage immediate financial and administrative responsibilities.

Families united beyond race and religion

The 54 missing Malaysian nationals comprise 42 Indians of Hindu faith, 11 Malays of Muslim faith and one Chinese Malaysian of Christian faith.

Dr Manivannan said the families shared the same uncertainty, financial pressures and hope for their loved ones’ safe return, despite coming from different communities.

He also acknowledged Malaysia’s US$1 million contribution towards Nepal’s rebuilding efforts following the disaster.

At the same time, he appealed for direct Federal humanitarian assistance for the Malaysian families affected by the tragedy.

To the best of MASFIH’s knowledge, the families have yet to receive Federal humanitarian financial assistance specifically addressing their circumstances.

Personal appeal from missing woman’s brother

Dr Manivannan, whose younger sister Komathi Rethinam also remains missing, said he understood the pain of waiting for answers and the anxiety faced by families uncertain about their future.

“As the next of kin of my younger sister, Komathi Rethinam, who also remains missing, I understand personally the pain of waiting without answers and the anxiety of not knowing what lies ahead,” he said.

He expressed hope that tomorrow’s Cabinet meeting would provide an opportunity to advance both proposals and establish a clear path towards coordinated government action and meaningful financial assistance.

“We are not asking the Government to resolve every legal and administrative issue overnight. We are asking for clear leadership, coordinated action and meaningful assistance to begin now, while the necessary processes continue,” he said.

With Saturday, Oct 24, marking exactly two calendar months since the floods, Dr Manivannan urged the Government to ensure that the affected families did not have to shoulder the financial burden of the tragedy alone.

MASFIH called on the Cabinet to give both proposals urgent consideration, stressing that the families were seeking neither preferential treatment nor premature conclusions about the fate of their loved ones.

Instead, they want compassion, legal clarity, financial protection and a coordinated government response while they continue to wait and hope.

“Two months of uncertainty must lead to action. Hope must be preserved, families must be protected, and support must reach those who need it,” MASFIH said. – DETIK MALAYSIA