IPOH: All six hikers who reportedly went missing during a hiking expedition have been found safe at Gunung Bongok, about 14.3km from the Pos Kemar search and rescue operation centre in Gerik.
Gerik OCPD Superintendent Abdul Samad Othman said police received information at about 5pm that all six hikers were safe.
"It would take about six to eight hours' hike between Pos Kemar and Gunung Bongok.
"Based on the information obtained, a strategic search operation will be conducted," he said in a statement on Monday (Sept 7).
"A team of 11 members, consisting of policemen, firemen, Forestry Department members and Civil Defence Force, will be sent to Kem Kulim using the Fire and Rescue Department helicopter.
"The distance from Kem Kulim to Gunung Bongok is about 4.3km and would take about two hours' hike," he said.
The group of hikers, which included two children, went missing after entering the Gunung Trans Gerak area in Lojing on Aug 29.
The group included Shafiee Sidek, 49; Hazman Mamat, 43; Wan Ahmad Aslam Wan Zairudin, 39; Siti Zulaiha Norizan, 39; Diya Raisha Wan Ahmad Aslam, 13; and Ahmad Raef Wan Ahmad Aslam, nine.
Supt Abdul Samad said the rescue team would hike up Gunung Bongok while the hikers are expected to head downhill to Kem Kulim.
"The rescue team is expected to meet the hikers halfway.
"If the hikers are found by the rescue team, they will camp at where they are found and will be brought out of the forest in the morning for safety purposes," he added.
