Kuala Lumpur: The Foreign Ministry through the Malaysian embassy in Kathmandu is currently providing assistance to bring down the remains of Kedah Malaysian Civil Defence Force director Lt Col Awang Askandar Ampuan Yaacub who died during the Malaysia Everest 2023 (ME 2023) mission yesterday.
The Ministry said that the body of Awang Askandar would be brought down from Mount Everest to a hospital in Kathmandu for a post-mortem and funeral arrangements.
Awang Askandar was believed to have fallen from 7,900 metres above sea level while scaling the mountain.
Apparently, he had been too tired to continue the climb and was making his way down to base when tragedy struck.
This was his second attempt at reaching the summit of Mount Everest.
The Ministry confirmed that Awang Askandar, 56, died yesterday during ME 2023 mission.
It was also clarified that it was not Awang Askandar who managed to scale Everest but another Malaysian in the same team, Muhammad Hawari bin Hashim, 33, who is still missing.
Both fell while on the mountain on Friday.
“The embassy is in close contact with local authorities who are actively carrying out search efforts in the area,” it said, adding that any latest developments will be notified from time to time.
Organised by Altitude Exploration Club, Malaysia Everest 2023 started the two-month mission to conquer the world’s highest peak on April 2 with the support of the government and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The mission also seeks to promote unity and build the Malaysian nation through ethnic diversity.
Meanwhile, the family is asking all Malaysians to pray that he will be found safe.
His mother Che Tom Hassan, 64, said:
“The last time I was able to contact him was when Warie (nickname) was at Camp Two, he asked us all to pray and recite the Yassin (verses from the Quran) for him to be able to climb to the top of Everest and and told us not to worry about him; he was OK
“After that, on Thursday (May 18),
we got information that Warie had successfully climbed to the top of Everest and that was news that made our family happy before Saturday morning when we found out he was missing.”
“Ever since he was in primary school, Warie aspired to climb to the top of Mount Everest and he is actually someone who is always enthusiastic, confident and active, he used to participate in all the sports and competitions at school,” she said, holding back tears.
She hopes that the relevant parties can channel developments or information about the search for Muhammad Hawari there so that the family receives accurate news.
“Until now, we have not been able to get any information or news about Warie, as a mother it is sad but at the same time makcik (auntie) needs to be strong and always pray that my son will be found safe soon,” she said.
