Efforts to trace 54 missing nationals continues - Foreign Minister

Malaysia has been actively seeking to locate 54 missing Malaysian nationals who were unaccounted for after a tsunami struck Nepal's Rasuwa district on August 26, 2026. The Government has requested Nepal to expedite the process of issuing missing-person or death certificates for the missing individuals, reducing the waiting period from 12 years to 45 days.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan informed the Dewan Rakyat that the Malaysian Embassy in Kathmandu is still diligently working to trace the missing persons, despite Nepal ending its search-and-rescue operation. The embassy collaborates with local authorities and trekking checkpoints to establish the last known locations of the missing Malaysians by examining climbers' registration records.

According to Mohamad, most of the records indicate that the missing Malaysians were on routes affected by the tsunami on that particular date. While the government cannot guarantee the fate of the missing individuals, they are working together to support their next of kin. Families require official documents to manage various aspects such as banking, insurance, and other matters, which have become challenging due to the absence of missing-person or death certificates.

The Foreign Ministry and other agencies, including the National Registration Department, have been holding discussions with affected families to address their concerns and determine the necessary assistance. Following the request, Nepal has agreed to the shortened waiting period, and the government will continue monitoring the situation and providing assistance to the families as the Malaysian Embassy pursues information on the missing Malaysians.