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The search and rescue (SAR) operation for a female hiker who went missing on Gunung Batu Putih in Perak has entered its fourth day, with efforts continuing in challenging terrain and weather conditions
According to Bernama, Perak Fire and Rescue Department operations assistant director Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said 12 SAR personnel spent the night at the mountain yesterday, 27 May, after operations were suspended in the evening.
He said the team entered the search area yesterday morning via an AW139 aircraft at Bukit Berapit 2 before completing a five-hour trek along the mountain ridge to reach the Kem Sukaneka area.
"The search began from the junction leading to Kem Sekali, which is located between Kem Sukaneka and Gunung Rayu, based on the latest information, the victim's movement timeline, and previous search efforts," he said in a statement.
The operation resumed at 8am today, 28 May.
Hiker Jaslinda Saludin, 49, was reported missing after starting on the Trans Spencer Chapman trail at 2am on Saturday, 23 May, together with 13 other hikers and two mountain guides
The group was travelling via the Pos Gedung–Gunung Bah Gading–Gunung Batu Putih–Kuala Woh route.
Jaslinda and another hiker, Mohd Hanafi Neikmad, 41, reportedly experienced health issues during the climb and stopped. However, she was later said to have continued her ascent and was last seen by a mountain guide at 7.30am on Sunday, 24 May.
According to Berita Harian, SAR teams have since discovered a water bottle, candy packaging, and footprints believed to belong to the missing hiker, providing new leads in the search.
Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) deputy director Yusri Mohd Yusoff @ Hashim said the evidence suggests that Jaslinda may have deviated from the intended route.
"We believe the victim is still moving based on these traces," he said, adding that she may have continued despite suffering from pain in her leg.
Meanwhile, Jaslinda's husband, Haszman Othman, 61, said she is an experienced hiker with more than 10 years of experience and a strong passion for challenging outdoor activities
He added that, according to Forestry Department records, she was scheduled to return to the same mountain for another hike later this month.
"I'm very worried now because she has still not yet been found and the search operation is still ongoing," he told Harian Metro.
