Kuala Lumpur:Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah has assured the Malaysian government of full cooperation to verify the status of 54 Malaysians who are still missing following catastrophic floods in the region.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim mentioned that this commitment was conveyed to him during a recent conversation with Prime Minister Shah. Anwar has directed Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar to engage in further discussions with Nepalese officials without delay.

The legal timeframe for declaring missing persons varies between the two countries, with Malaysia allowing six to seven years and Nepal only three years. However, Anwar noted that applications could still be made to the courts. Shah has assured that he will provide all necessary cooperation to expedite the process, enabling families to receive updates promptly.

The disaster on August 26, caused by a glacial ice and rock collapse in Tibet's Lhende Khola area, has resulted in 1,451 fatalities. Approximately 5,700 individuals, including over 600 foreign nationals, remain unaccounted for.