KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 30 — Wisma Putra has been urged to establish a dedicated one-stop centre to provide direct, regular and consistent updates to the next of kin of 91 Malaysians who remain uncontactable following the disaster at the Nepal-China border.
Deputy National Unity Minister R. Yuneswaran said the centre should be equipped with a 24-hour hotline, case reference numbers and officers who could be contacted at any time.
“A dedicated liaison officer must also be appointed for each family so that no next of kin is left out of the information loop and they do not have to contact various agencies to obtain updates,” he said in a statement today.
Based on a Wisma Putra statement as of 8pm yesterday, 55 Malaysians in Nepal and 36 in China remained uncontactable, with the figures still being verified and cross-checked to avoid duplicate reports.
Those uncontactable include tourists, climbers, pilgrims visiting Mount Kailash and two officers from the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM).
Yuneswaran also proposed daily briefings at fixed times for the affected families, even if there was no new information.
“A silence of information will only add to the stress and suffering of the families,” he said.
He said coordination between Wisma Putra, the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), JBPM, Nepalese and Chinese authorities, travel agencies and telecommunications companies must be intensified to verify travel manifests, passport numbers, travel routes and the last known locations of the individuals.
He also proposed that psychosocial support be provided to the families in collaboration with the Social Welfare Department and The Health Ministry, alongside assistance with documentation, travel and logistics for next of kin who need them.
He urged the public not to spread unverified information, photographs or figures, as this could cause confusion and heighten the families’ anxiety. — Bernama
