TAPAH: A team of Orang Asli volunteers from Kampung Woh here is preparing to assist in the search and rescue (SAR) operation for a female hiker, Jaslinda Saludin, 49, who went missing while climbing Gunung Batu Putih on May 24.
The team's coordinator, Chew Ho Beng, said the 22 volunteers from the Semai tribe, aged between 20 and 60, are making preparations, including gathering food supplies and equipment required for an operation that may last five to six days.
"The operation will begin from the village and the group's search efforts will focus on areas around Kem Sukaneka and Gunung Rayu.
"However, the route they will take is different and will not follow the existing trail," he said when contacted on Tuesday (June 2).
He said all the volunteers involved possess extensive experience and knowledge of the forest, including the ability to identify routes, track signs and changes in terrain that could assist the search operation.
"They offered their assistance as they believe their experience and knowledge of the forest area could help expand efforts to locate the victim," he said.
Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) director Datuk Sayani Saidon yesterday said that the Orang Asli volunteers would be divided into smaller groups and focus on areas outside the main trail between Kem Sukaneka and Gunung Rayu to locate the missing hiker.
Meanwhile, Perak JBPM assistant director of operations Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said the SAR operation, which entered its ninth day today, was facing communication difficulties that hampered coordination between teams on the ground and the operations control centre.
He said the SAR personnel deployed to the area by a JBPM MI-17 aircraft on Monday (June 1) remain on site and are expected to return by noon on Wednesday (June 3).
"There are no additional teams entering the location today, either by aircraft or via land routes. For now, 24 rescue personnel have been deployed to several locations identified as priority search areas," he said.
Jaslinda was reported missing while participating in the Trans Spencer Chapman expedition, which began at 2am on May 23 with 13 other participants and two Forestry Mountain Guides (MGP) via the Pos Gedung-Gunung Bah Gading-Gunung Batu Putih-Kuala Woh route. - Bernama
