Search for missing hiker Jaslinda to continue with focus on latest leads

TAPAH - The search and rescue (SAR) operation to locate Jaslinda Saludin, 49, who was reported missing while climbing Gunung Batu Putih here will continue with a more focused approach based on new information or leads received.

Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) assistant director of operations Sabarozi Nor Ahmad said that although the operation is currently being carried out on a smaller scale, his party is still monitoring current developments and is prepared to move teams to certain locations.

He said the move would be carried out if new discoveries or information emerged that could assist the search effort.

"The operation will continue involving the fire brigade who are re-checking areas that have been inspected previously to confirm important locations, including the route to the summit of Gunung Batu Putih.

"New information or clues are not only obtained from the JBPM search team, but also channelled by non-governmental organisations (NGOs), local communities and individuals involved in the search effort," he said at a press conference at the Tapah district police headquarters here today.

Meanwhile, Sabarodzi said any party including mountain guides who wish to assist in the search operation must report first at the Tapah Fire and Rescue Station which is now the JBPM Control Centre to enable coordination with the Forestry Department.

"The Incident control centre (PKTK) has been closed, the involvement of several other agencies in the operation has also been halted and now only JBPM is controlling and coordinating search activities.

"This matter is important because the Gunung Batu Putih area is a permanent forest reserve and cannot be entered arbitrarily without the control of the authorities," he said.

Meanwhile, he said that as of this morning, a total of 23 members consisting of the JBPM team, the Forestry Department and the 3rd Battalion of the General Operations Force (GOF) had been evacuated using an Agusta AW139 helicopter.

At the same time, he said a small team of 10 members comprising eight members of JBPM Storm Team and two forestry mountain guides (MGP) were sent back to the search location to conduct a comprehensive inspection (sweep) in an identified sector near the peak of Gunung Batu Putih.

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

Jaslinda and another climber, Mohd Hanafi Neikmad, 41, suffered health problems and stopped climbing, however the clerk at a private company reportedly continued on to the mountain peak and was last seen on May 24. - BERNAMA