Tapah: Woman hiker Jaslinda Saludin, 49, who went missing for 14 days after she went on a hike at Gunung Batu Putih, near Tapah, was found safe near Kampung Lubuk Geharu, Pos Musoh today by Orang Asli villager Nazri a/l Bah Eng at about 5 pm.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Jaslinda embarked on the Trans Spencer Chapman expedition on May 23 with 13 others and two forestry mountain guides. The journey commenced at 2 am on the Pos Gedung-Gunung Bah Gading-Gunung Batu Putih-Kuala Woh route. Later that night, male hiker Mohd Hanafi Neikmad, 41, experienced breathing issues and vomiting, prompting him to rest at Kem Batu Kor with Jaslinda and a guide while others continued to the mountain peak.
On May 24, Jaslinda, believed to have also stopped due to leg pain, continued alone towards the peak. The guide last saw her at around 7.30 am. At 11.32 am, the Perak Fire and Rescue Department received an emergency call about two injured hikers at Gunung Batu Putih. By 4 pm, the guide and Mohd Hanafi remained at Kem Batu Kor without knowledge of Jaslinda's whereabouts, assuming she continued to the peak.
The rescue operation officially began on May 25, focusing on bringing Mohd Hanafi to safety and searching for Jaslinda. A team of 12 Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team (STORM) members was dispatched to the peak. Searchers discovered footprints off the main trail, suspected to be Jaslinda's.
On May 26, improved communications were established at the incident control post, and new leads, including Jaslinda's belongings, were found along the trail towards Gunung Rayu. The search continued with expanded efforts on May 28, involving 38 additional personnel focusing along Sungai Ayer Busok due to the belief Jaslinda was searching for water.
A drone search was launched on May 29, and a message on the ground suggested Jaslinda may have reached the peak safely. On May 30, wildlife cameras confirmed her presence near Kem Sukaneka. However, further footage of her movements was not obtained.
As the search progressed, teams considered additional resources, focusing on observation cameras and involving local villagers, including 22 Semai tribe volunteers on June 2. The search faced scaling down by June 3, with operations transitioning under the Fire and Rescue Department's supervision.
On June 4, a new control post was set up at the Tapah Fire and Rescue Station, focusing efforts on new leads. By June 5, the Perak Forestry Department imposed bans on risky hikes in response to the incident. Finally, on June 6, Jaslinda was found safe, marking the end of her 14-day ordeal.