Malaysia seeks legal route to clarify status of Nepal landslide victims

Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry disclosed that Nepal is evaluating legal mechanisms to address cases of individuals, including foreign nationals, whose status remains unclear after the deadly floods and landslides on August 26. The ministry emphasized that any such measures would depend on Nepal’s domestic legal procedures and have not yet taken effect. The Malaysian embassy in Kathmandu will continue to coordinate with Nepali authorities to secure clarification and documentation should the measures be implemented, while Malaysian agencies will support affected families.

In a closed-door session, 95 next-of-kin of 55 Malaysians who are still uncontactable were briefed by representatives from Smart, police, the Chemistry Department, the embassy in Beijing, the National Registration Department and the Welfare Department. The meeting highlighted the shift to a long-term phase, discussing legal and administrative steps for families, and expressed gratitude to Nepal’s government and various Malaysian bodies for their cooperation. Officials also asked the public and media to protect the privacy of the families and avoid speculation about unresolved cases.