More than three years after Malaysian climber Muhammad Hawari Hashim went missing on Mount Everest, the Malaysia Everest 2023 (ME 2023) expedition team is now seeking an official declaration of death from the Nepal government to help ease administrative and family-related matters.
ME 2023 Chef de Mission, Tan Sri Salleh Mohd Nor, said the request has been communicated to the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Nepal in Malaysia, Mudita Bajracharya, with hopes that the matter will receive due consideration from Nepali authorities.
He said no official death declaration has been issued to date, despite more than three years passing since the climber disappeared during his expedition.
Muhammad Hawari, who hailed from Penang and was serving at the Penang Museum at the time, successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest on May 19, 2023.
Reports earlier suggested that he was believed to have fallen from Camp Four during the descent phase of the expedition.
A reward of more than RM20,000 was previously offered in efforts to locate him, though no trace was found.
Salleh said the official declaration is important to allow the family to settle matters involving insurance claims, employment records and other legal documentation.
He added that Nepalese representatives have indicated willingness to assist, with the next step involving formal correspondence to the relevant authorities for further action.
