KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 — A proposal by Nepal to shorten the period for declaring disaster missing persons dead from 12 years to 45 days has brought relief to families of 54 Malaysians still missing after the flood tragedy there.

Malaysia Solidarity: Families in Hope (Masfih) welcomed the proposal, describing it as a major relief for the 54 families facing emotional and financial strain 44 days after the tragedy.

Masfih spokesman Dr Manivannan Rethinam said all the families hoped the proposed provision could be implemented immediately to provide clarity for the next of kin of Malaysians still missing following the landslide and floods along the Nepal China border on Aug 26.

“With the 45-day period due to expire tomorrow (Oct 9) and the proposal still subject to the legal process in Nepal, we urge the Malaysian Government to provide an official explanation on the actual legal position applicable to avoid confusion,” he said in a statement today.

The landslide and floods at the Nepal-China border have left 54 Malaysians still missing, while media reports in Nepal reported on Wednesday that the government had recommended the enactment of an ordinance to amend existing laws and remove legal barriers to declaring missing persons dead.

Government spokesman and Education Minister Sasmit Pokhrel was quoted as saying that the existing provision requiring a person to be missing for 12 years before being declared dead would be reduced to 45 days following the Bhotekoshi floods.

Meanwhile, Manivannan said Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) had responded positively to a request for a face-to-face meeting with five Masfih representatives next Monday to discuss a proposed moratorium and temporary assistance for personal financial commitments and financing borne by the victims’ families.

Masfih also expressed its appreciation to AmBank for being the first party to provide financial assistance to all 54 affected families through the AmBank Foundation.

“The process of gathering information is now under way to enable the assistance to be processed to ease the daily burden of the affected families,” the statement said.

Manivannan said Masfih was still awaiting a response to its request for an official meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the Attorney General’s Chambers to discuss protection mechanisms and the legal direction for the missing victims.

Any party or organisation wishing to contribute to the victims’ families can contact Masfih at 012 223 1303 or email masfihmy@gmail.com. — Bernama