IPOH: The Orang Asli community near trekking or hiking trails should be informed of such activities near their settlements, says Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad (pic).
The Perak Mentri Besar said the community had often complained about not being told when hikers or trekkers entered the forests where they live.
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"They're only told when there is an incident or a rescue effort.
"Some of those who enter their areas cause damage, including to their crops," he said, adding that the Orang Asli in Gunung Batu Putih have similar complaints with a large number of rescue workers entering recently to look for a missing hiker.
"The Orang Asli, especially the Tok Batin (village head), should be informed beforehand," he told a press conference after opening the state-level International Forest Day at the State Secretariat here on Thursday (June 4).
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Saarani also said that the Orang Asli need to be involved in search and rescue operations.
"It is their area, so they know the ins and outs of the forest better.
"In the Royal Belum State Park or Amanjaya Forest Reserve, members of the local Orang Asli community are involved as rangers," he said, adding that there are also Orang Asli mountain guides in some areas.
Separately, Forestry Department director-general Datuk Zahari Ibrahim said trekking or hiking activities at Gunung Batu Putih in Tapah will be temporarily suspended for rehabilitation works.
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Zahari said frequent usage of the trails at the mountain was akin to overuse, with loose soil that needed to be tamped down.
"The mountain could be closed up to six months to ensure it is safe for people," he added.
Perak Fire and Rescue Department assistant operations director Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said a team of eight rescuers, involving Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team of Malaysia (STORM) members, mountain guides and Orang Asli are still searching for hiker Jaslinda Saludin.
She was reported missing during a trekking expedition at Puncak Gunung Batu Putih in Tapah about two weeks ago.
