KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia Solidarity Families in Hope (MASFIH) has called for Federal humanitarian assistance for 54 families of Malaysian nationals who remain missing following a flash flood disaster at Rasuwagadhi, along the Nepal-Tibet border, on August 26.
The call followed a meeting between MASFIH and Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Ramanan Ramakrishnan on Wednesday to discuss the families’ outstanding concerns, including financial hardship, employment rights, insurance claims and access to statutory benefits.
MASFIH coordinator and spokesperson Ts. Dr. Manivannan Rethinam said the meeting provided an opportunity to present the families’ immediate needs and seek practical government intervention amid continuing uncertainty over the fate of their loved ones.
During the meeting, MASFIH delivered a 28-slide presentation outlining the concerns, immediate needs and proposed interventions for the affected families. It also submitted a 21-page proposal titled Proposal for a Coordinated Humanitarian Response: Supporting the 54 Malaysian Families Affected by the Nepal-Tibet Flood Disaster for the minister’s consideration.
The proposal covers Federal humanitarian assistance, employment and statutory entitlements, insurance matters, financial relief, asset protection and coordination among government agencies.
Minister to raise aid request at Cabinet meeting
One of the key outcomes was the minister’s assurance that he would raise the request for special Federal humanitarian assistance for the 54 families at the Cabinet meeting on Friday, October 30.
MASFIH has formally requested one-off financial assistance for all 54 families to help cover essential household expenses and ongoing financial commitments while they continue searching for answers about their missing loved ones.
The organisation said the proposed assistance should be considered fairly, regardless of race or religion, with the amount, eligibility criteria and distribution arrangements determined through the appropriate government processes.
MASFIH expressed hope that the Cabinet would give favourable consideration to the request and ensure timely assistance for the affected families.
PERKESO urged to expedite insurance payments
The meeting also addressed insurance payments through the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO).
MASFIH said the minister had requested PERKESO’s chief executive officer to immediately process payments for individuals covered by the relevant schemes who meet the applicable eligibility requirements.
To address the exceptional circumstances involving missing persons, MASFIH proposed that recipients sign an indemnity undertaking requiring them to return the money if the missing individual subsequently returns.
The proposed arrangement is intended to safeguard PERKESO’s interests while allowing eligible families to access benefits without waiting indefinitely for the uncertainty surrounding their loved ones to be resolved.
MASFIH said the approach followed similar discussions with Allianz, which had agreed to proceed with travel insurance payouts under an arrangement incorporating a safeguard should a missing individual return.
The organisation said the approach could help balance the immediate needs of affected families with the legitimate financial and administrative interests of insurers and statutory bodies.
MITRA appointed to assist MASFIH
Ramanan also assigned Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (MITRA) director-general Raveendran Nair to assist MASFIH in areas requiring support.
MASFIH welcomed the appointment, saying it could improve coordination, facilitate engagement with relevant agencies and help address the outstanding needs of all 54 families.
The organisation stressed that the humanitarian needs arising from the tragedy cut across ethnic and religious backgrounds, and that assistance should remain inclusive and responsive to every affected family.
Employment, EPF and insurance matters discussed
The meeting also covered employment records, unpaid salaries, contractual entitlements and appropriate arrangements for employees who remain missing.
MASFIH said affected families needed clear guidance on employment-related matters as they continued to manage financial commitments amid prolonged uncertainty.
The organisation also highlighted the need for guidance from PERKESO and the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) on applicable schemes, potential benefits for eligible dependants, documentation requirements and procedures available in the exceptional circumstances.
Insurance matters discussed included group life insurance, personal accident insurance, travel insurance and other potentially applicable policies, including coverage provisions and requirements for claims involving missing persons.
MASFIH called for a consistent, compassionate and legally sound approach that would allow eligible families to access available benefits while protecting the legitimate interests of the relevant institutions.
It also stressed the importance of stronger cooperation among the Human Resources Ministry, employers, statutory bodies, insurers, MITRA and other relevant agencies.
Clear points of contact, timely responses and coordinated follow-up were needed to prevent families from having to navigate multiple institutions independently while dealing with the uncertainty surrounding their loved ones.
MASFIH calls for inclusive assistance
MASFIH described Wednesday’s meeting as a constructive step towards addressing the employment-related, statutory, insurance and welfare concerns of the affected families.
The organisation welcomed the minister’s commitment to raise the Federal aid request at the Cabinet meeting, his direction to PERKESO to expedite eligible payments and the appointment of MITRA to assist with coordination.
However, it stressed that the priority now was to translate the commitments into tangible outcomes through timely decisions and effective implementation by the relevant authorities.
MASFIH said assistance available through targeted programmes should complement, rather than replace, consideration of Federal humanitarian support for all 54 families.
It reiterated that access to assistance should be guided by fairness, need and equal dignity, without discrimination based on race or religion.
Families continue to face uncertainty
More than two months after the disaster, the families continue to live with uncertainty over what happened to their loved ones.
With Deepavali approaching, MASFIH said many affected families were unable to celebrate as they normally would, while continuing to face household expenses, financial responsibilities, employment concerns and the need for reliable information and support.
The organisation said timely financial assistance would help ease some of the practical and financial pressures, although it would not resolve the uncertainty surrounding the missing individuals.
MASFIH stressed that it was not asking the government or any institution to disregard the law, contractual obligations or due process, but was seeking compassionate and practical solutions within the existing legal framework.
It said the meeting had provided renewed encouragement and expressed hope that meaningful progress would follow at Friday’s Cabinet meeting and through the relevant institutions, particularly on Federal humanitarian assistance and eligible insurance payments.
MASFIH reaffirmed its commitment to working with the government, relevant institutions and other stakeholders to protect the dignity, well-being and lawful interests of all 54 affected families.
“No family should have to navigate this uncertainty alone,” it said in a statement issued by its coordinator and spokesperson, Ts. Dr. Manivannan Rethinam, on Wednesday. – DETIK MALAYSIA
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