NINETEEN days after devastating floods struck Nepal, families of 55 Malaysians still uncontactable are clinging to hope for a breakthrough, with DNA samples already taken but no new developments in identifying recovered remains.
Hani Othman, wife of Senior Fire Officer II Mohd Fakhrul Munir Mohd Isa, better known as Loe, said authorities had yet to provide any update on DNA matching between Malaysian relatives and samples from remains recovered in Nepal.
She said the family understood that the process was still under way and continued to hope that those still uncontactable were safe.
“There has been no update on the DNA matching. But we were told that it is still in progress. I am still hoping for a miracle, but I also accept whatever fate may bring,” she said today.
Hani travelled to Kathmandu on Aug 28 on her own initiative to seek first-hand updates on the search for her husband and other Malaysians still uncontactable after the disaster.
She said she wanted to be closer to the search operation rather than wait for updates from Malaysia.
Asked about Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan’s statement that the Malaysian Special Search and Rescue Team (SMART) MAS-01 was expected to return home yesterday or today after its search-and-rescue mission in Nepal was concluded, Hani declined to comment.
“I don’t know how to comment on this. I have to be considerate of many parties because this is a very sensitive issue,” she said.
Meanwhile, P Sivan, 72, father of Rajita Sivan, said relatives had provided DNA samples and were now waiting for further updates from Wisma Putra.
He said the family hoped remains could be recovered so DNA matching could be carried out to establish the identities of victims.
“The DNA has been taken. We are waiting for news from Wisma Putra. I hope they can be found so the DNA matching can be done. If they are found alive, it would be a miracle,” he said.
A total of 55 Malaysians remain uncontactable following the disaster, while 77 others confirmed safe in Tibet and Nepal have been brought to Kathmandu for processing before returning to Malaysia. - September 13, 2026
