NRNA Malaysia Concludes Its Convention

Malaysia – The 9th General Convention and Teej Program of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) Malaysia was successfully held on Sunday at Hotel Grand Continental in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. The event became even more special with the presence of political leaders, the Nepali Ambassador, NRNA officials, and artists.

During the program, Nepali Congress leader and spokesperson Prakash Sharan Mahat addressed the convention, highlighting the significant contributions of the Nepali diaspora to Nepal’s development. He emphasized the need for collective efforts to address the problems faced by Nepalis living abroad. Mahat expressed his support for the committee elected in Malaysia, stating that the NRNA elections were conducted according to the Supreme Court's directives. He countered negative propaganda on social media and clarified that "Jai Nepal" is a shared slogan of all Nepalis.

Mahat also expressed his commitment to raising issues such as the limited capacity of the embassy, labor exploitation, the need for insurance and shelter homes, and free visas in parliament and relevant ministries. He further stated that remittances are the backbone of Nepal’s economy, and sectors like IT, hydropower, and tourism will create significant growth over the next 15–20 years.

Similarly, Nepali Ambassador to Malaysia, Netra Prasad Timalsina, stressed the need for unity within NRNA Malaysia, urging members not to get entangled in factionalism, personal interests, or financial disputes. He highlighted the dire situation of Nepali workers in Malaysia, presenting data showing that about 40 workers die every month. He emphasized the need for transparency and cooperation to address issues such as labor exploitation, wages below the minimum standard, long working hours, and visa trafficking.

NRNA President Mahesh Shrestha clarified that his leadership committee is legitimate as per the Supreme Court and Ministry of Foreign Affairs decisions. He presented concrete action plans for protecting workers’ rights, promoting investment, and improving foreign employment while dispelling misconceptions about legality.

Shrestha announced lobbying with the governments of Nepal and Malaysia to end the exploitation of about 100,000 security guards in Malaysia, ensure fair wages (e.g., 2,000 Ringgit), and provide one day off per week. He also revealed plans to establish a 24-hour AI-based call center to support workers’ mental and physical health. Additionally, through investment conferences, he pledged to organize small capital of workers and provide assistance for their livelihoods.

Khagendra Nyaupane, Vice President of NRNA International Coordination Council (ICC), emphasized the necessity of unity within the Malaysia chapter, urging everyone to leave differences aside and focus on collective efforts.

Similarly, NRNA activist and Maoist Centre Asia Province President Shani Kumar Oli accepted the court’s decision and called for all to unite under the committee led by Mahesh Shrestha.

Through the convention, Indra Narayan Limbu was unanimously elected as the President of NRNA Malaysia for the 2025–2027 term. Artists Shobha Tripathi and Buddha Lama performed musical presentations during the event.