Mission done, but not over: Smart team on way home as Nepal search continues

The Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (Smart) is set to return from its humanitarian mission in Nepal, where it contributed to flood relief efforts by providing equipment like drones for search operations.

While the Nepalese authorities have not concluded the search and rescue (SAR) operations with 5,000 people still unaccounted for, Malaysia remains open to offering further assistance if required.

The Malaysian Embassy in Kathmandu maintains communication with local authorities to update the status of missing Malaysians, aiding families in handling related legal matters.

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 12 — The Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (Smart), which participated in the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief mission in Nepal, is expected to return home today or tomorrow, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

He stated that all equipment belonging to the team, such as drones, has been handed over to rescue teams in Nepal for use in search operations for flood victims in the country.

“Nepalese authorities do not intend (at this time) to announce the termination of search and rescue (SAR) operations, as there are still 5,000 people unaccounted for.

“The Smart team leader will provide a report and assess the next steps so that we do not make hasty decisions; if they (Nepal) require assistance from Malaysia, we can consider helping with the search or rescue operations,” he said.

Mohamad told reporters while visiting the Media Centre at the 2026 Umno General Assembly here today.

The Smart MAS01 team, participating in the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief mission to Nepal, arrived in the country via Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, on September 5.

The team, comprising 11 personnel and officers, departed for Nepal on a Royal Malaysian Air Force A400M aircraft from the RMAF Subang Air Base, carrying 12.4 tonnes of SAR equipment.

Meanwhile, Mohamad stated that the Malaysian Embassy in Kathmandu is in constant contact with the Nepalese government to obtain the latest information regarding the status of Malaysians reported missing in the tragedy.

He said this is to enable next-of-kin to handle matters such as insurance claims and other related issues.

“In Nepal, for anyone reported missing or unaccounted for, a death certificate can be issued after three years, whereas in Malaysia, it takes seven years.

“That is why we have asked the (Malaysian) embassy there to liaise with the (Nepalese) ministry to determine how next-of-kin can obtain documents confirming the status of the Malaysians who remain missing,” he said. — Bernama

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马来西亚特别灾害援助和救援队（Smart）即将结束在尼泊尔的人道主义救援任务返回家园。在尼泊尔，该队提供了无人机等搜救设备，为洪灾救援工作做出了贡献。

尽管尼泊尔当局尚未结束搜救行动，仍有 5000 人下落不明，但马来西亚仍愿意在必要时提供进一步援助。

马来西亚驻加德满都大使馆与当地政府保持联系，更新失踪马来西亚公民的状况，并协助家属处理相关法律事务。

吉隆坡，9月12日讯——外交部长拿督斯里莫哈末哈山表示，参与尼泊尔人道主义援助和救灾任务的马来西亚特别灾害援助和救援队（Smart）预计将于今天或明天返回马来西亚。

他表示，该团队的所有设备，例如无人机，都已移交给尼泊尔的救援队，用于在该国开展搜救洪水灾民的行动。

“尼泊尔当局目前不打算宣布停止搜救行动，因为仍有 5000 人下落不明。

他说：“Smart团队的负责人将提交一份报告，评估下一步措施，以免我们仓促做出决定；如果他们（尼泊尔）需要马来西亚的援助，我们可以考虑协助进行搜救行动。”

穆罕默德今天在参观2026年巫统大会媒体中心时告诉记者。

参与赴尼泊尔人道主义援助和救灾任务的 Smart MAS01 团队于 9 月 5 日经加德满都特里布万国际机场抵达该国。

该团队由 11 名人员和军官组成，乘坐马来西亚皇家空军 A400M 飞机从梳邦空军基地出发前往尼泊尔，携带了 12.4 吨搜救设备。

与此同时，穆罕默德表示，马来西亚驻加德满都大使馆正与尼泊尔政府保持密切联系，以获取有关在此次悲剧中失踪的马来西亚公民的最新情况。

他说，这样做是为了让近亲能够处理保险索赔和其他相关事宜。

“在尼泊尔，对于任何被报告失踪或下落不明的人，三年后即可签发死亡证明，而在马来西亚，则需要七年时间。

他说：“因此，我们已要求（马来西亚）驻尼泊尔大使馆与（尼泊尔）外交部联络，确定失踪马来西亚公民的家属如何才能获得确认其身份的文件。”——马新社

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阿什拉夫·瓦吉迪表示，巫统不会“背叛任何人”，也不会在下届大选前寻找新的首相。

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