Be prepared for DNA test, Nepal flood victims’ families told

The foreign ministry convened a briefing for the families of Malaysian nationals still missing after the catastrophic floods and landslides in Nepal last Wednesday. The next of kin of the missing Malaysians were instructed to prepare for a DNA test to aid in the identification of victims at the relevant police headquarters beginning the following day.

Sivakumar Kalimuthu, a 57-year-old awaiting news of his wife, Kalai Mathe Karuppaiah, 57, learned of the requirement during a meeting with the foreign ministry at Wisma Putra. He noted that his family will accompany him to the DNA test, as his three children – residing in Singapore, Langkawi, and Selangor – are still mourning her absence.

Kalimuthu recounted his last communication with his wife, who informed him of their plans to move to Kailash for prayer with a group of 17 Malaysians on Tuesday. Since then, there has been no update. He expressed his ongoing prayers for his wife's safety and hoped to reunite her with him in Malaysia. The briefing informed families of the upcoming DNA test, which will serve as a reference for identifying victims in Chitwan, Nepal.

Meanwhile, Fakhrul Munir Isa, 44, the brother of Malaysian firefighter Fakhrul Munir, 44, who remains untraceable in Nepal, will join the Special Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) mission to Nepal. Isa will aid the rescue efforts while simultaneously seeking information on his brother's whereabouts and condition.