KUALA LUMPUR – Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim and Raja Permaisuri Agong Raja Zarith Sofiah have expressed concern for Malaysians affected by severe flooding in Nepal and prayed for their safety.
Their Majesties conveyed their concern following reports of major flooding in Rasuwa district, where dozens of Malaysians were reported to be uncontactable.
The Royal couple offered prayers for the safety of those affected and hoped that assistance and other efforts to manage the situation could be carried out smoothly.
Sultan Ibrahim also prayed for the successful rescue and evacuation of Malaysians caught up in the flooding.
“I have been following the development of this tragedy since it was reported yesterday involving Malaysians,” His Majesty said in a statement on Thursday, 27 August.
The King also called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, known as Wisma Putra, to take all appropriate measures in response to the situation.
“I also urge Wisma Putra to take all appropriate actions including in providing the latest information to the respective family members regarding the safety and whereabouts of the Malaysians involved,” he said.
The comments came after Wisma Putra reported that 55 Malaysians had yet to be contacted following the major floods in Rasuwa district.
According to the ministry, the figure was based on the latest information received from family members, travel agencies and other relevant sources.
The ministry’s update highlights the difficulties involved in establishing contact with Malaysians who may have been affected by a major natural disaster while travelling or staying abroad.
For families in Malaysia, confirmation of the safety and whereabouts of relatives remains a key concern as authorities work to obtain updated information.
The situation has also prompted calls for continued coordination between Malaysian authorities and relevant parties in Nepal to locate affected Malaysians and provide assistance where required.
The Royal Office said Sultan Ibrahim and Raja Zarith Sofiah remained concerned about the Malaysians involved and hoped that rescue and evacuation efforts would proceed without further difficulty.
The King’s appeal to Wisma Putra also placed emphasis on keeping families informed as more details become available.
The number of Malaysians yet to be contacted was reported by the Foreign Ministry on Thursday, following information gathered from several sources connected to those travelling or staying in the affected area.
Authorities’ efforts to verify the status of those affected are expected to depend on the availability of information from families, travel operators and other relevant channels.
The flooding in Rasuwa has therefore raised concerns among Malaysian families and authorities, while efforts continue to establish contact with those whose whereabouts remain unknown.
The Royal Press Office provided the statement, with the accompanying image identified as a file photograph.
