TAPAH: Jaslinda Saludin, the hiker who went missing after descending Gunung Batu Putih here two weeks ago, has been found and is now undergoing treatment.
“Thank you to everyone involved, especially the police, Fire and Rescue Department personnel, NGOs, the Orang Asli and all those who participated in the search operation,” said her husband, Haszman Othman, 61, who was full of gratitude over the successful rescue.
He was met by the media at the Tapah Hospital’s Emergency Department here yesterday, where Jaslinda, 49, was warded.
Perak Forestry Mountain Guide coordinator Muzafar Mohamad, 50, said Jaslinda was found within the search zone that rescuers had been combing throughout the operation.
“It was an area that our teams had traversed from both the upper and lower sections.
“The terrain is extremely challenging, filled with valleys, waterfalls and difficult ground. Even for experienced mountain guides, reaching certain sections is not easy,” he said while crediting Jaslinda’s survival to her determination and mental strength.
On her condition, Haszman said he always had faith in his wife’s resilience.
“As I said earlier, I know she is strong,” he added.
A friend of Jaslinda, Hishammuddin Ahmad, 52, said he had known her since 2019 through their hiking community.
“I am one of the administrators of our hiking group and my last communication with Jas was on May 11.
“Before she embarked on the Trans Spencer expedition, she told me about the trip and I followed her progress closely. We were all confident in her experience, knowledge and expertise as a hiker.
“When we heard that she had been found safe, it felt like our prayers had been answered. It is truly a miracle,” he said.
Perak Fire and Rescue Department assistant director of operations Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said Jaslinda was found by fishermen near a river at Kampung Lubuk Gaharu, Pos Musoh.
“She managed to drink from rivers and consumed berries and other wild plants found in the forest.
“We were also informed that there was a period of about three days when she did not have access to water,” he said, adding that Jaslinda survived by drinking dew and river water, as well as consuming jungle produce.
Jaslinda was brought by villagers to the village headman’s house before she was taken to Tapah Hospital.
“We handed her over to the Health Ministry using the Fire and Rescue Department’s Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) vehicle at about 9.20pm.
“She did pass through the locations our teams had searched, though she did not hear the helicopter within the search zone.
“Nevertheless, we are grateful that she managed to emerge safely,” he said.
Sabarodzi described Jaslinda as exceptionally strong and resilient, noting that she was mostly unharmed.
“She suffered minor injuries, including insect bites and some wounds to her head. We were informed that she fell several times, including falls of approximately five metres and three metres while crossing rivers and difficult terrain.
“Alhamdulillah, she is a strong and determined woman. We are deeply moved by her resilience,” he added.
