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Hiker Jaslinda Saludin, 49, who went missing while hiking Gunung Batu Putih in Perak, has been found safe after surviving alone in the jungle for nearly 14 days
She was discovered at around 5pm on Saturday, 6 June, near a river close to Kampung Orang Asli Lubuk Gaharu after spending almost two weeks lost in the wilderness.
Orang Asli villager Nazri Bah Eng, 55, said he and two family members found Jaslinda while heading to the river to go fishing.
According to Nazri, Jaslinda was weak and staggering, and was holding a plastic bag filled with various plants and mushrooms.
"We were on our way to fish at the river when one of us suddenly spotted Jaslinda. She was weak and crying.
"In that condition, we immediately took her back to the village chief's house, and gave her food and water because she looked extremely exhausted," he told Harian Metro at Tapah Hospital, where Jaslinda was taken for treatment and recovery.
The villagers recognised Jaslinda from photographs circulated during the search and rescue (SAR) operation and quickly alerted authorities after ensuring she was safe.
Nazri Bah Eng telling reporters how they found Jaslinda.
Image via Bernama/Harian MetroJaslinda had been reported missing after joining a Trans Spencer Chapman trail expedition on 23 May with 13 other hikers and two mountain guides
She and another participant had reportedly stopped due to health issues during the trek.
However, Jaslinda later continued on her own and was last seen by a mountain guide at about 7.30am on 24 May.
Jaslinda was brought to Tapah Hospital following her rescue.
Image via Bernama/New Straits TimesJaslinda later revealed that she survived the ordeal without food and relied on whatever water sources she could find in the forest
In a video shared on social media, the 49-year-old described that she felt "barely alive" after spending nearly two weeks alone in the forest.
"I had no food. I didn't eat for two weeks, only just now I ate.
"I drank muddy water, water from a pitcher plant when I was lost. I felt barely alive," she said.
Footage and photos showed Jaslinda seated in a house in an Orang Asli settlement eating instant noodles and having a drink shortly after she was rescued.
Photos show the 49-year-old hiker looking exhausted but relieved to be found.
Image via FacebookMalaysian Mountain Guide Association chairman Muzafar Mohamad said Jaslinda's survival was likely due to a combination of strong mental resilience and access to a reliable water source
Based on SAR experience in mountainous terrain, Muzafar believes Jaslinda followed a river after realising she had lost her way, a common survival strategy used by lost hikers because rivers provide water and can eventually lead to human settlements.
"When a lost person reaches a river, they usually remain close to it and continue moving along its course because it is often the safest route out of the forest.
"In Jaslinda's case, we believe she followed Sungai Ayer Busok from the area near Gunung Rayu towards Pos Musoh, covering an estimated 8km to 10km," he told Bernama.
Although SAR teams remained hopeful that Jaslinda was alive, Muzafar said they believed she had become stranded in a river valley due to the area's steep terrain and several large waterfalls
He noted that previous search teams attempting to access the route were forced to turn back because of strong river currents and difficult geographical conditions.
Meanwhile, emotional scenes unfolded at Tapah Hospital as Jaslinda was reunited with family members and friends, including her husband, Haszman Othman, 61, and sister, Jasima, 52, who embraced her upon seeing her.
