Post by : Rohit Dhiman

Families of Malaysian nationals who remain missing in Nepal are asking authorities to allow their representatives to access the National Security Council’s operations centre. They believe direct communication would help relatives exchange information with officials and provide details that could assist ongoing searches. The request was made by Manivannan Rethinam, a representative of a support group speaking for most of the affected families. His sister is among those still missing. He said relatives have received regular information from Malaysia’s foreign ministry, but after more than two weeks, broad updates are no longer enough for families waiting for news about their loved ones.

Families Seek Direct Communication With Authorities

The families of the missing Malaysians in Nepal are calling for greater access to officials involved in the response to the disaster. Their request is focused on communication rather than operational control. Manivannan Rethinam, spokesman for the Malaysia-Nepal Disaster Family Support Group, said the organisation represents 49 of the 55 affected families. He stressed that relatives were not asking to interfere with the work of rescue teams or government agencies. Instead, the families want a formal channel through which information can move in both directions. They believe relatives may possess details about the missing individuals, their travel plans or possible movements that could be useful to search teams.

Families Say Regular Updates Are No Longer Enough

According to Manivannan, the Malaysian foreign ministry has maintained daily contact with the next of kin. However, the families say the information they receive is increasingly similar to statements already made publicly. For relatives who have spent days waiting for news, this has created frustration and uncertainty. Manivannan said the families want more specific information about individual cases rather than only general descriptions of the wider situation. They believe access to the Nepal operations centre could improve coordination and allow authorities to respond directly to questions raised by relatives. The group has also asked for greater transparency about the progress of search efforts and the information being collected from different agencies involved in the response.

Limited Information About Missing Malaysians

The families said one of the few significant updates was confirmation that three people had passed through immigration on the Tibetan side of the border. Beyond that information, Manivannan said there had been no major update regarding the 55 missing Malaysians since the sixth day following the disaster. The absence of further information has increased anxiety among relatives, particularly those who have been trying to establish the last known movements of their family members. The families believe that closer communication with officials could help prevent information from being lost between different parties involved in the search.

Families Await Meeting With Anwar Ibrahim

The affected families have also been seeking a meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Manivannan said representatives first requested the meeting around the ninth day after the disaster. The purpose of the proposed meeting would be to brief the prime minister directly on information gathered by the families and seek guidance on the next steps. However, according to the spokesman, the families had not received a response to their request at the time of his statement. For relatives, a direct meeting with senior government leadership could provide an opportunity to raise concerns about communication, search coordination and the handling of information concerning the missing Malaysians.

Calls for Clearer Case-Specific Information

Sentosa assemblyman Gunaraj George also called for clearer communication from Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan. Gunaraj acknowledged the efforts made by the Malaysian government, including high-level directions and the deployment of Malaysian rescuers. However, he said official communication should also provide information that is directly useful to the families waiting for news. The families want updates that go beyond broad statements and explain what is known about individual missing persons, where searches are taking place and whether new information has emerged. Such communication, they argue, would help relatives better understand the progress of the rescue operations.

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What Are Families of Missing Malaysians Asking For?

The families are asking for representatives to be given access to the National Security Council’s operations centre in Nepal. They say this would create a two-way communication channel with authorities and allow them to share information that could potentially assist the search. They have also requested more detailed updates on the status of the missing Malaysians and sought a meeting with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Where Are the Missing Malaysians Being Sought?

The case is linked to a disaster in Nepal, with authorities coordinating efforts to locate the affected Malaysian nationals. The families have also referred to information involving the Tibetan side of the border, where three people were confirmed to have cleared immigration.

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