TAPAH: The search and rescue (SAR) operation for missing hiker Jaslinda Saludin, 49, at Gunung Batu Putih here will continue on a smaller scale from today, led by the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM).
Tapah police chief Supt Abdul Malik Hasim, who disclosed this, said the decision was reached at a SAR coordination meeting chaired by Batang Padang district officer Ahmad Redhauddin yesterday.
“However, police will continue to monitor the situation and carry out further investigations into the victim’s disappearance at Gunung Batu Putih.
“We will take statements from the 14 individuals who took part in the hiking trip with the victim. Anyone with information should come forward and assist police in the search efforts,” he told reporters at the district police headquarters, Bernama reported.
He said the SAR operation involved various agencies, including the police, JBPM, Civil Defence Force, Forestry Department, personnel from the Third Battalion of the General Operations Force (GOF), Forestry Mountain Guides (MGP) and public volunteers.
Supt Abdul Malik said the previous SAR operation, which lasted 11 days, involved a total of 116 personnel.
“So when we decided to scale down the operation, it will be led by the JBPM under its SAR SOP, with the assistance of local residents and NGOs,” he said.
He said the decision was made after 95% of the Gunung Batu Putih hiking area had been searched during the SAR operation, using various methods deployed by JBPM in efforts to locate the victim.
“Five personnel from JBPM and four from the Third Battalion of the GOF were injured, which is also one of the factors being taken into account,” he said.
As such, he said careful planning was required to avoid wastage of energy and to ensure the safety of rescuers involved in the mission.
Supt Abdul Malik said police probe so far had found no criminal elements in Jaslinda’s disappearance, adding that 13 persons who joined the hiking trip were called to have their statements recorded.
Jaslinda was reported to have begun the Trans Spencer Chapman trek at 2am on May 23 with 13 other participants and two MGPs, via the Pos Gedung-Gunung Bah Gading-Gunung Batu Putih-Kuala Woh route.
She and another hiker, Mohd Hanafi Neikmad, 41, experienced health problems and stopped along the way.
However, Jaslinda was reported to have continued towards the summit and was last seen by an MGP at 7.30am on May 24.
