Missing Gopeng runner: Villagers ask for permission to conduct own search

GOPENG: Villagers here have asked for the Fire and Rescue Department and the police to put the search and rescue (SAR) operation for Mohd Ashraf Hassan on hold for a brief period.

The villagers have made the request, as they want to carry out their own search operation for the missing ultra marathon participant.

Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said the villagers hoped that they would be allowed to conduct their own search.

"We were told that a similar case has occurred before. The villagers managed to find a missing person, using their own methods," she told reporters when during her visit to the SAR camp Kampung Pintu Padang here on Tuesday (April 16).

She added that she had agreed with their request.

"A discussion between the police and Fire and Rescue Department would be held to determine when and how long we should put the operation on hold," she said.

Mohd Ashraf Hassan went missing while participating in the Gopeng Ultra Trail marathon on March 23.

The SAR operation has now entered its 25th day.

Zuraida said a decision on the matter would be made tomorrow.

"We are all hoping to find him safe and sound,” she said.