Thirty-six Malaysians in Tibet, China, have reportedly been found safe following flash floods and landslides that struck areas along the China-Nepal border.
Foreign Ministry deputy secretary-general (Bilateral Relations) Datuk Syed Mohamad Hasrin Tengku Hussin said authorities were still verifying the identities and status of the Malaysians with their Chinese counterparts.
He said the ministry was also checking whether any of the 36 individuals were among Malaysians who had previously been reported uncontactable in Nepal.
“We are also conducting cross-checks because we have only just received this information. We will provide an update if there are any names that overlap, including the actual number of our citizens who are still missing or have been found safe, whether in Nepal or Tibet.”
Following the latest information, Malaysia has expanded its coordination efforts to include affected areas on the Chinese side of the border.
Syed Mohamad Hasrin said the Malaysian Embassy in Beijing and the Malaysian High Commission in New Delhi were also assisting with verification, as there were reports that some Malaysians may have travelled along routes connecting China and India.
He added that the Foreign Ministry’s Operations Room in Putrajaya would continue operating around the clock to coordinate information, assist Malaysians in affected areas and keep their families updated with verified information.
However, he stressed that the ministry would continue seeking confirmation from Chinese authorities before making further conclusions about the whereabouts and safety of Malaysians in Tibet.
On efforts to bring affected Malaysians home, Syed Mohamad Hasrin said the process would have to be coordinated with Nepalese authorities and tour operators.
This would include checking their travel documents and assessing conditions on the ground before any repatriation arrangements could be made.
“For now, our priority is to locate Malaysians and ensure their safety in the affected areas,” he said, adding that difficult weather conditions and limited access remained key considerations.
Meanwhile, Malaysia is also assessing possible assistance for Nepal following the disaster. Syed Mohamad Hasrin said the National Security Council (NSC) and National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) were coordinating the assessment.
Any assistance would be based on the needs identified by the Nepalese government and would require consideration by the NSC, as well as acceptance and prioritisation through official channels.
He said Malaysia had expressed its willingness to help, although Nepal had so far indicated that it had sufficient resources to conduct search and rescue operations. Any further assistance could potentially include financial support or other forms of aid.
The ministry is also assessing the readiness of Malaysian agencies, including the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team, while the Defence Ministry and Malaysian Armed Forces have also indicated their readiness to assist if required.
In accordance with a decree by Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, the ministry will continue providing affected Malaysians’ families with the latest verified information.
Syed Mohamad Hasrin also urged the public and media not to speculate or circulate unverified reports, stressing that official Foreign Ministry statements should be relied upon for the latest developments.
Yesterday, Sultan Ibrahim instructed Wisma Putra to take all necessary measures to assist Malaysians affected by the devastating floods in Rasuwa, Nepal.
