Families of Malaysians missing in Nepal floods seek moratorium

Fifty-five families from Malaysia are seeking a reprieve from their debts and other financial obligations following the tragic loss of their loved ones in Nepal's flash floods last month. The families do not want their debts to be forgiven, but rather, they want to avoid further financial hardship, late payment penalties, collection actions, or other complications while the fate of their missing relatives remains unknown.

This plea came after a private meeting with Wisma Putra, where the families voiced their concerns about several unresolved legal, financial, and practical matters.

One such issue was the decision to submit only three DNA samples, rather than the standard 23, to Chinese authorities for the identification of the 23 Malaysians who had embarked on a group trek to Tibet. The families expressed their desire to meet Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in person to seek additional assistance and support during this difficult time.

The catastrophic floods and debris flow, caused by an avalanche of ice and rock in Tibet's Lhende Khola region, resulted in over 1,450 deaths, with thousands of people still unaccounted for.