Families of 55 missing Malaysians in Nepal want moratorium to ease loans, insurance claims

Recently, the families of 55 missing Malaysians in Nepal have called for a special moratorium on the victims' financial responsibilities. The families are struggling to manage bank accounts, vehicle and housing loans, company interests, and life insurance claims, as the victims' identities are unknown. Dr. Manivannan Rethinam, spokesperson for Malaysia Solidarity: Families in Hope (MASFIH), emphasized that the moratorium should only apply to the 55 missing individuals.

He explained that the families seek this special arrangement to cope with financial commitments while waiting for death certificates and pursuing insurance claims and estate matters.

MASFIH spokesperson Dr. Manivannan Rethinam attended a meeting with government agencies to discuss search and rescue operations, DNA sample management, legal and documentation processes. The meeting aimed to address the various constraints placed on the families, such as the inability to make routine payments on registered vehicles due to the missing individuals' names on the loans.

MASFIH called for a meeting with Bank Negara Malaysia, the Attorney General's Chambers, and relevant agencies to establish a specific mechanism to help these families.

The families have already shared 98 DNA samples with the Royal Malaysia Police, which had been processed by the Department of Chemistry Malaysia. Three DNA profiles were also sent to China following information that three missing Malaysians had immigration records in Tibet. MASFIH suggested considering sending DNA profiles for other missing individuals if there was evidence of their presence in the Tibet area.

The families expressed disappointment with the Malaysian search team's limited operations to the Rasuwagadhi area near the Nepal-Tibet border. They believed that the team's operations were limited by permissions from Nepalese authorities, and had not explored remote areas where victims might still be alive. MASFIH urged the Malaysian team to reassess the DNA samples collected to establish stronger matches and requested a meeting with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to ensure a comprehensive solution at the highest government level.