[UPDATED] Anwar: Malaysia weighs aid, search-and-rescue deployment to Nepal

Butterworth, Malaysia: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is considering sending aid and a search-and-rescue team to Nepal following devastating floods along the Nepal-Tibet border. Dozens of Malaysians remain uncontactable, with 57 reported as missing, though no Malaysian casualties have been officially confirmed. Anwar stressed that Malaysia must take the disaster seriously, noting that neighboring countries like India, China, and Bangladesh had already provided assistance.

The National Security Council is coordinating the response, with Malaysia's diplomatic missions in Kathmandu and New Delhi mobilized to aid in locating and supporting the affected individuals. The Malaysian Embassy in Kathmandu is working with Nepalese authorities, search-and-rescue teams, travel agencies, and other relevant parties.

Anwar directed government agencies to urgently locate and contact the affected Malaysians while ensuring the mission had the necessary resources. He expressed condolences to those affected and commended rescuers working in challenging conditions.