Malaysia sends families’ DNA samples to Nepal to help identify 55 missing Malaysians, says Tok Mat

All DNA samples from relatives of the 55 missing Malaysians in Nepal have been collected for identification purposes.

Malaysia is prepared to send forensic experts if additional support is required by Nepalese authorities.

Seremban's Foreign Minister emphasises ongoing updates and coordination with Nepal to assist search efforts while planning safety improvements with Thailand.

SEREMBAN, Sept 5 — All DNA samples from the next-of-kin of 55 Malaysians still unaccounted for following floods and landslides in Nepal have been obtained, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

He said the samples would be sent to Nepal for the authorities there to conduct DNA matching, a process expected to take some time given the large number of victims involved.

Mohamad said Malaysia was also prepared to send experts from the Department of Chemistry to assist the Nepalese authorities with the DNA matching process, if required.

“Many other countries will also be sending their experts to assist Nepal in identifying DNA matches for the victims, which will help expedite the process,” he told reporters after attending the Pinggiran Senawang Independence Carnival here today.

Meanwhile, he said the Nepalese government had been providing excellent cooperation to the Malaysian Embassy in Kathmandu in obtaining the latest information on Malaysians affected by the disaster.

Mohamad said the ministry received daily updates from the Chargé d’Affaires of the Malaysian Embassy in Kathmandu on the search operation and the situation on the ground, while the next-of-kin were also contacted regularly whenever there were new developments.

He said Nepal had limited the entry of foreign search and rescue (SAR) teams to avoid having too many teams on the ground, which could make it more difficult for the local authorities to coordinate the operation.

This morning, 11 officers and personnel from Special Malaysian Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) departed for Nepal to assist in SAR operations in areas affected by floods and landslides. The mission is expected to last 10 days.

A total of 55 Malaysians were reported still uncontactable following the disaster on Aug 26, while some of the 77 individuals located safe in Tibet and Nepal have since returned safely to Malaysia. The remainder are expected to return on flights arranged by their respective travel agents.

In another development, Mohamad said he would meet Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow in the capital on Monday to discuss efforts to enhance security in southern Thailand, as well as bilateral issues between the two countries.

He said Malaysia had been given the honour by Thailand to serve as a facilitator in negotiations with the parties concerned to help bring about peace in the region.

He added that the meeting would also discuss the best approach to ensure that efforts to promote security and peace in southern Thailand could be effectively implemented.

Mohamad said peace in the region would benefit both countries, particularly by boosting Malaysia-Thailand border trade, which is of significant value.

He also advised Malaysians planning to visit Thailand to remain vigilant and always prioritise their safety. — Bernama

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为了进行身份识别，已收集了在尼泊尔失踪的55名马来西亚人的所有亲属的DNA样本。

如果尼泊尔当局需要额外支持，马来西亚准备派遣法医专家。

芙蓉外交部长强调，将与尼泊尔保持持续的沟通和协调，以协助搜救工作，同时与泰国共同规划安全改进措施。

芙蓉，9月5日——外交部长拿督斯里莫哈末哈山表示，已获得尼泊尔洪水和山体滑坡后仍下落不明的55名马来西亚人的近亲属的所有DNA样本。

他说，这些样本将被送往尼泊尔，由当地政府进行DNA比对。鉴于受害者人数众多，这一过程预计需要一些时间。

穆罕默德表示，如果需要，马来西亚也准备派遣化学部的专家协助尼泊尔当局进行DNA比对工作。

“许多其他国家也将派遣专家协助尼泊尔寻找遇难者的 DNA 匹配对象，这将有助于加快这一进程，”他今天在参加完平吉兰塞纳旺独立嘉年华后告诉记者。

与此同时，他表示，尼泊尔政府一直在与马来西亚驻加德满都大使馆密切合作，以获取受灾马来西亚人的最新信息。

穆罕默德表示，外交部每天都会收到马来西亚驻加德满都大使馆临时代办关于搜寻行动和当地情况的最新消息，同时，一旦有新的进展，也会定期与遇难者家属联系。

他说，尼泊尔限制外国搜救队入境，是为了避免地面上出现太多搜救队，以免给地方当局协调行动带来更多困难。

今天上午，马来西亚特别灾害援助和救援队（SMART）的11名官员和工作人员启程前往尼泊尔，协助在受洪水和山体滑坡影响的地区开展搜救行动。此次任务预计持续10天。

据报道，8月26日灾难发生后，共有55名马来西亚人仍失联；此前在西藏和尼泊尔安全获救的77人中，部分人已安全返回马来西亚。其余人员预计将乘坐各自旅行社安排的航班返回。

另据报道，穆罕默德表示，他将于周一在首都与泰国副总理兼外交部长西哈萨克·普昂克乔会面，讨论加强泰国南部安全的努力以及两国之间的双边问题。

他表示，泰国授予马来西亚一项殊荣，让马来西亚担任与有关各方谈判的调解人，以帮助实现该地区的和平。

他还补充说，会议还将讨论如何以最佳方式确保促进泰国南部安全与和平的努力能够得到有效实施。

穆罕默德表示，该地区的和平将使两国受益，特别是通过促进马来西亚和泰国之间的边境贸易，这具有重要的价值。

他还建议计划前往泰国的马来西亚公民保持警惕，始终将自身安全放在首位。——马新社

槟城首席部长表示，周氏码头遗址未受火灾影响，槟城政府将帮助五处被毁房屋的业主。

“如果兰卡威太小”：国防部长表示，兰卡威国际海事博物馆可能需要另选场地

Arthur Kurup表示，如果API超过400，政府准备宣布进入紧急状态。