Nepal Tragedy: Missing Malaysian’s Family Urges Govt To Bring Victims Home

By Mohd Haidar Ali

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 30 (Bernama) -- After nearly five days of anxious waiting, the family of N. Kalaiselvi, 65, who remains uncontactable in Nepal, is urging the government to bring the missing Malaysians home, regardless of their condition.

Her daughter, Kritikaa Joyce De Brito, said the family appreciated the Malaysian government's efforts to coordinate the search and rescue mission, but acknowledged that their hopes were fading after nearly five days without contact.

She said that even if rescue teams successfully reached the affected area, the chances of finding the missing Malaysians alive could be slim given the conditions there.

"Even if they are found, they might be stranded in the forest or buried under eight feet of mud. The chances of survival are very slim.

"Therefore, our request is to bring them home. Regardless of the circumstances, whether they are still alive or not, we want them returned to us in Malaysia," she told Bernama after attending a closed-door briefing for next of kin at Wisma Putra here today.

Kalaiselvi was among 27 Malaysians who travelled to Mount Kailash in Tibet, China, to perform religious ceremonies in a group managed by a local travel agency, before losing contact following flash floods and landslides in Rasuwa District last Wednesday.

Kritikaa said all family members present at today's briefing agreed that the ministry should channel official updates and verified information directly to the next of kin.

She said the move was intended to curb speculation and the spread of false information that could further distress the victims' families.

"For now, the ministry is being very careful with what is released to the public. We understand this because we want to avoid any speculation," she said.

Earlier, Wisma Putra confirmed that 72 Malaysians in Darchen, China, were safe and receiving consular assistance, while another 55 remained uncontactable at the Nepal border.

-- BERNAMA