Tapah: The female hiker reported missing on Gunung Batu Putih is believed to have strayed from the designated trail before losing contact yesterday.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) assistant director of operations Sabarozi Nor Ahmad stated that Jaslinda Saludin, 49, is believed to have veered off course while descending Gunung Batu Putih, which stands 2,132 meters high, after climbing to the summit alone. Her last known position was at the mountain peak at about 9 am yesterday, following communication with a mountain guide at 7:30 am. The victim is thought to have left a mark at the peak before losing contact. Information suggests she may have strayed from the original track, with the intended descent route exiting at Kuala Woh. However, it is believed she may have diverted around Gunung Rayu or Pos Musoh.
Sabarozi announced that today's search and rescue (SAR) operation was suspended at 6 pm and would resume at 8 am tomorrow, focusing on the Gunung Rayu area. An Agusta 139 aircraft from the Bertam Air Base will assist by transporting an additional 12 to 16 rescue personnel to the search area. The rescue team discovered footprints believed to belong to the missing hiker in an area off the main climbing route. Due to recent weather conditions, these footprints remain visible and are not located on the main route, suggesting the path is not typically used by other hikers.
The search team faced numerous challenges during the SAR operation, including communication issues, steep paths, rainy weather that rendered the trails slippery, thick cloud cover, and the difficult terrain of a high-altitude mountain. In addition to JBPM, the 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, encountered health issues and stopped, but Jaslinda continued to the summit and was last seen by the MGP at 7:30 am yesterday.