CYBERJAYA, May 30 — The Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM) is continuing search and rescue (SAR) operations for missing hiker Jaslinda Saludin at Gunung Batu Putih, Tapah, with no plans at this stage to suspend the mission.

Its director-general Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohammad said about 50 personnel from various agencies remain involved in the operation at the location.

He said another eight personnel were deployed to the mountain summit this morning to facilitate the rotation of rescue teams.

“We have continued the operation since May 24. Today, we sent another eight personnel to the summit to allow for team rotation,” he told reporters after the JBPM Qurban Kasih 2026 Programme here today.

Nor Hisham said based on previous operational experience and the different terrain conditions in mountainous areas compared with the sea, the department is not considering ending the operation for now.

Jaslinda, 49, was reported to have joined 13 other individuals and two Forestry Mountain Guides (MGP) in beginning the Trans Spencer Chapman expedition at 2am on May 23 via the Pos Gedung-Gunung Bah Gading-Gunung Batu Putih-Kuala Woh route.

Jaslinda and another climber, Mohd Hanafi Neikmad, 41, reportedly experienced health problems and stopped during the climb. However, Jaslinda was said to have continued towards the mountain peak and was last seen by an MGP at 7.30am on May 24.

Meanwhile, Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu said the Qurban Kasih Programme, organised in collaboration with JBPM and the Sepang parliamentary constituency, aimed to distribute sacrificial meat to ministry personnel and some 2,500 recipients around Sepang.

She said the programme, held on the final day of Tasyrik, 13 Zulhijjah, involved the sacrifice of 50 cows and three goats with the participation of about 500 volunteers from 38 traditional Sepang villages, including JBPM personnel, villagers, village heads and councillors. — Bernama