Nepal Moves to Expedite Death Certificates for Missing Malaysians After Disaster

MELAKA, Oct 19: Nepal is working to amend its laws to expedite the issuance of death certificates for 54 Malaysians who remain unaccounted for following devastating floods and landslides that struck the country in August.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said Nepal’s existing legislation requires a waiting period of up to three years before death certificates can be issued for individuals who remain missing after a disaster.

He said the matter was conveyed to him during a meeting with representatives from the Nepalese Embassy last week.

According to Mohamad, Nepal is preparing to table amendments in its Parliament to shorten the process. Should the amendments not be approved immediately, the government is considering a special provision that would allow death certificates to be issued sooner for the affected Malaysians.

Death Certificates

He said the documents are crucial for families seeking to manage banking, inheritance, insurance and other legal matters.

On Aug 26, flash floods and landslides triggered by heavy rainfall struck Nepal’s Rasuwa district and areas along the Nepal-Tibet border, severely disrupting infrastructure, communications and search-and-rescue operations.

A Malaysian previously reported missing returned safely on Oct 2, leaving 54 citizens still unaccounted for.

Separately, Mohamad said Malaysia is awaiting recommendations from the National Disaster Management Agency and the National Security Council before deciding on assistance for Indonesia’s forest fire situation in Sumatra and Kalimantan.

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