Ops Gunung Batu Putih: SAR Suspended, Rescue Efforts To Resume Tomorrow

TAPAH, May 25 (Bernama) -- The female hiker reported missing on Gunung Batu Putih is believed to have strayed from the designated trail before losing contact yesterday.

Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) assistant director of operations Sabarozi Nor Ahmad said Jaslinda Saludin, 49, is believed to have veered off course while descending Gunung Batu Putih, which stands 2,132 metres high, after climbing to the summit alone.

He said the victim’s last known position was at the mountain peak at about 9am yesterday, after communicating with a mountain guide at 7.30 am.

“The victim is believed to have left a mark at the peak before losing contact and based on information received, she may have strayed from the original track.

“The descent route was supposed to have exited at Kuala Woh, but we believe the victim may have strayed around Gunung Rayu or Pos Musoh,” he told a press conference after the conclusion of today’s search and rescue (SAR) operation at the Tapah Fire and Rescue Station.

Sabarozi said the operation was suspended at 6 pm today and would resume at 8 am tomorrow, focusing on the Gunung Rayu area, with assistance from an Agusta 139 aircraft from the Bertam Air Base to transport an additional 12 to 16 rescue personnel to the search area.

He also said that the rescue team found footprints believed to belong to the female victim in an area off the main climbing route.

“It rained yesterday and it’s hot today, so the footprints are still visible. The footprints are not on the main route, and we believe the route is not used by other hikers,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said that the search team faced several challenges, including communication problems, steep paths, rainy weather that made the trails slippery, thick cloud cover, and the challenging terrain of a high-altitude mountain throughout the SAR operation.

Apart from the JBPM, the SAR operation also involved the Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team of Malaysia (STORM), the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the Forestry Department and Forestry Mountain Guides (MGP).

Jaslinda was reported to have begun the Trans Spencer Chapman climb with 13 other individuals and two MPGs at 2 am on May 23 via the Pos Gedung-Gunung Bah Gading-Gunung Batu Putih-Kuala Woh route.

She and another climber, Mohd Hanafi Neikmad, 41, suffered health issues and stopped, but Jaslinda was reported to have continued to the summit of the mountain and was last seen by the MGP at 7.30 am yesterday.

--BERNAMA