Parliamentary hearing of Malaysia ambassador nominee Kharel put on hold

The parliamentary hearing of Chudamani Kharel, nominated as ambassador to Malaysia, has been put on hold. The hearing process was halted after lawmakers raised serious questions about "conflict of interest" and financial irregularities against Kharel during a meeting of the Parliamentary Hearing Committee on Wednesday.

Committee chairperson Bodhnarayan Shrestha announced the decision to hold the hearing process, saying time was needed to study the complaints received. During the meeting, a demand was also raised for the committee to form a sub-committee to resolve the questions raised against Kharel.

During the hearing, lawmaker Rajiv Khatri told Kharel, "There is a claim that you took lakhs of rupees from some locals in Jhapa, saying you would arrange a grant for them, and that you have now started repaying it after being appointed ambassador."

In the action plan presented to the committee, Kharel has set full digitalization of embassy services and the safety of Nepali workers along with economic diplomacy as his main priorities. He has also committed to making the "free visa, free ticket" policy a key agenda of bilateral labor diplomacy and to rapidly improve passport services.