KUALA LUMPUR – HSBC and Public Bank have agreed to provide a six-month moratorium without interest or additional charges to families of Malaysians missing in the Nepal flood disaster, following engagements between Malaysia Solidarity Families in Hope (MASFIH) and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).
MASFIH spokesperson Manivannan Rethinam said the two banks had confirmed the relief, while two other financial institutions had offered moratoriums but had yet to clarify whether interest would be waived.
“MASFIH sincerely thanks HSBC and Public Bank for their compassionate response and understanding,” he said in a statement today.
Manivannan said a moratorium that waived penalties but continued charging interest would only provide temporary relief and risk leaving families with a greater financial burden later.
“Humanitarian assistance should genuinely ease the burden, not simply defer payments while the amount owed continues to grow.
“We therefore urge financial institutions to go beyond waiving penalties and consider waiving interest and all additional charges throughout the moratorium period,” he added.
Meanwhile, MASFIH is seeking an urgent face-to-face meeting with the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) to clarify the legal and financial issues affecting the 54 families.
Manivannan said the matters requiring guidance included lawful access to financial information, including Central Credit Reference Information System (CCRIS) records, to help next of kin identify bank accounts, loans, investments and other assets held by the missing individuals, subject to applicable legal and data protection requirements.
The group also wants clarification on the implications for loans, hire-purchase facilities, credit cards, insurance and takaful claims, as well as the legal requirements governing bank accounts and other assets.
It is also seeking guidance on the distinction between missing-person verification, any applicable presumption-of-death process and a formal legal determination of death.
“MASFIH is not seeking to bypass the law. We seek authoritative guidance so that families can protect their loved ones’ interests and manage their affairs lawfully,” he said.
Manivannan said he hoped the meeting could be arranged within the week, either with a small delegation of next of kin or initially with him representing the families as MASFIH coordinator and spokesperson.
Separately, MASFIH is seeking clarification from the Foreign Ministry on the Nepalese government’s response regarding the verification of missing persons and the next steps to verify the 54 missing Malaysian nationals.
This follows Nepalese media reports on Oct 12 concerning procedures for verifying the official details of people missing in the Rasuwa Bhotekoshi flood.
“MASFIH respectfully urges KLN (Foreign Ministry) and Wisma Putra to treat this matter with the urgency it deserves and provide timely updates and responses, rather than allowing families to wait for days without clarification,” he said.
MASFIH has also renewed its request for a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to discuss unresolved diplomatic, legal and financial issues affecting the families.
Manivannan said the meeting was necessary to coordinate action, clarify responsibilities and ensure affected families received timely assistance.
“This request is not about publicity or politics. It is about coordinating the outstanding diplomatic, legal and financial issues, clarifying responsibilities and ensuring that affected families receive timely assistance,” he explained.
Marking 50 days since the disaster, Manivannan said the families continued to hope for the safe return of their loved ones while seeking financial relief and clear guidance from the authorities.
“Seeking financial relief and legal clarity does not mean giving up hope. We continue to hope that our loved ones will return. At the same time, families must be protected from avoidable financial hardship and given clear guidance while they wait,” he said.
MASFIH thanked BNM for facilitating engagement with the banks, as well as the next of kin, family members and supporters who continued to assist the affected families.
“Fifty days. Fifty-four Malaysians are still missing. Families are still hoping. It is time for clear answers, meaningful relief and coordinated action,” he stressed.. – October 14, 2026