Nepal Tragedy: Families Of Malaysians Still Unaccounted For Cling To Hope
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 29 (Bernama) -- "As long as we haven't heard otherwise, it's good news," said Jamiliah Tengku Ismail, 68, whose husband Muhamad Nasir Abdul Talib, 68, is among the Malaysians who are still uncontactable following the flood and landslide disaster along the Nepal-Tibet border region.
She said her husband last called her in the early hours of Aug 26, while en route from a hotel in Mandu to the border area, having departed at around 3.30 am Nepal time.
Based on information received from fellow group members, she said her husband is believed to have stopped at Yala Cafe between 6 and 7 am before continuing his journey.
"He was overjoyed the night before they left. They had dinner together, and he was excited to reach the border early," she told the media at the Malaysia Solidarity: Families in Hope press conference here Saturday.
She added that her husband had joined the trip to enjoy the scenery and was not an experienced mountain climber.
However, she expressed confidence that the group included members with the necessary expertise for such challenging terrain.
Jamiliah said her family is now relying solely on updates from the Malaysian Embassy in Kathmandu, which is coordinating with Nepalese authorities, while holding out hope that search and rescue efforts can be expedited.
"We remain hopeful, but we urge them to speed things up because if they are injured or stranded somewhere without food and water, that's what worries us most," she said.
Though it has been three days since she last heard from her husband, Jamiliah said she refuses to assume the worst until official confirmation arrives, but acknowledges that she will accept whatever outcome Allah has ordained.
Meanwhile, Ngeow Joanne, 59, sister of Jason Ngeow, 56, said her greater concern is for their elderly parents, aged 80 and 90, after learning that her brother was also part of the travel group.
"I hope that my brother returns safely, especially for the sake of our parents. They are old, and I find it difficult to break the news to them," she said.
She said Jason, who is single and runs his own business, has always loved travelling and has visited Nepal before.
She was, however, unaware of his exact departure date, as they do not keep in regular contact when either of them is abroad.
For Dviya, 29, her father V. Krishnan, 74, who also remains uncontactable, last called her on Monday, just before he was scheduled to head to the Tibet-Nepal border.
She said Krishnan, who was travelling alone on a 14-day trip, was overjoyed before his departure. In fact, the family had already planned to take him on a holiday to Europe next year after this trip.
"I don't want to say anything... who knows, God may work a miracle," she said.
Dviya shared that the family's initial concern had been more about their 74-year-old father's ability to walk long distances and adapt to high altitudes, rather than the possibility of any disaster striking.
She said her father is an active man who once worked alongside military personnel in his youth, though he does have age-related health conditions, including diabetes and hypertension.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs today confirmed that 55 Malaysians remain uncontactable following the severe flash floods and landslides that struck Rasuwa District, Nepal, on Aug 26.
-- BERNAMA
