KUALA LUMPUR: Families of Malaysians missing in the Nepal floods have sought clarification on delayed financial assistance and other benefits during an audience with the Raja Puan Muda of Kedah, Che Puan Muda Zaheeda Mohamad Ariff.
Malaysia Solidarity Families in Hope (MASFIH) coordinator and spokesperson Dr R. Manivannan said the families also sought updates on the disbursement of benefits from the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso).
On Oct 30, MASFIH said Perkeso payments to the next of kin of Malaysians affected by the Nepal-Tibet flood tragedy were expected to be disbursed on Nov 4.
However, Manivannan said only the RM3,000 assistance had reached the 28 affected families so far, while pension payments and other benefits remained outstanding.
He said the families were also awaiting the RM10,000 one-off government assistance, which had been announced but not yet disbursed.
“We have a six-month debt moratorium, but families still have daily living expenses to meet, while salaries and other sources of income have stopped.
“We hope the assistance can be channelled as soon as possible, as only then will it help the families,” he told reporters at Istana Darul Aman.
He said most affected households were from the B40 and M40 income groups, adding that some might turn to third-party lenders if the assistance continued to be delayed.
The briefing, held on the 77th day since the tragedy, also covered the progress of search, rescue and recovery operations, the families’ welfare needs, as well as legal and documentation challenges.
Manivannan said the Raja Puan Muda had taken note of the difficulties families faced in obtaining certificates of presumption of death and offered to seek legal assistance through her contacts in the legal fraternity.
He said she, in her capacity as patron of the Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA), had also invited its executive director, Fazlin Badri Alyeope, to explore emotional and psychological support for the affected families.
To date, 54 Malaysians remain unaccounted for following flash floods in Rasuwagadhi, Nepal, on Aug 26.