TAPAH: The search for hiker Jaslinda Saludin, 49, who went missing while climbing Gunung Batu Putih here on May 23, has entered the critical phase as the victim has been lost for over 72 hours.
Perak Fire and Rescue Department director Datuk Sayani Saidon said the search and rescue (SAR) operation has been intensified, with more personnel deployed and the search expanded to areas where the victim may have potentially gone to look for food and water.
The operation will now focus on the area along Sungai Ayer Busok, where the victim may have gone to find water.
"Given the victim's experience, she should be able to survive while the SAR operation is ongoing.
"We believe she will attempt to find a water source to sustain herself, and is highly likely to head towards Sungai Ayer Busok, which is close to Gunung Batu Putih," she told a press conference after visiting the incident command post at Pos Kuala Poh here on Thursday (May 28).
Sayani said 36 personnel from the Fire and Rescue Department and police were deployed to the Kem Sukaneka and Gunung Rayu areas, assisted by the General Operations Force (GOF), the Forestry Department, and Forestry Mountain Guides (MGP).
She said the department has also cleared a winching point area about 100 square feet at Kem Salai Matahari to allow for quick evacuation or logistics if a helicopter is needed.
This is to make it easier for the rescue team to move, as the current winching points at Bukit Batu Putih and Bukit Berapit 2 are too far from the primary search area.
Sayani added that the steep, mountainous terrain posed a challenge for the rescue team, with travel to some search locations taking 7 to 8 hours.
Jaslinda was reported to have started the Trans Spencer Chapman climb at 2am on May 23 with 13 other hikers and two mountain guides via the Pos Gedung-Gunung Bah Gading-Gunung Batu Putih-Kuala Woh route.
She and another hiker, Mohd Hanafi Neikmad, 41, faced health issues and stopped, but Jaslinda was reported to have continued alone to the mountain summit, where she left a marker at the peak.
She was last seen by a mountain guide at 7.30am on May 24. – Bernama
