IPOH, June 4 — Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad today urged organisers to inform Tok Batin and Orang Asli communities in advance whenever hiking expeditions are conducted in forests inhabited by indigenous groups.

He said the communities’ extensive knowledge of the terrain could prove crucial in preventing emergencies and aiding search-and-rescue efforts when incidents occur.

Saarani said forest conservation and management should not be viewed solely as the responsibility of the Forestry Department, as Orang Asli communities have lived in and around these forests for generations and possess a deep understanding of the environment.

“They know the forest better than anyone because it is their area and they are familiar with every aspect of it,” he told reporters after attending the state-level International Forest Day celebration at the Perak Darul Ridzuan Building here.

He was commenting on the role played by Orang Asli volunteers in the search-and-rescue (SAR) operation for a female hiker who has been missing at Gunung Batu Putih in Tapah since May 23.

Jaslinda Saludin, 49, was among a group of 14 hikers and two Forestry Department mountain guides who began the Trans Spencer Chapman expedition at 2am on May 23 via the Pos Gedung-Gunung Bah Gading-Gunung Batu Putih-Kuala Woh route.

She and another hiker, Mohd Hanafi Neikmad, 41, reportedly experienced health issues and stopped during the climb.

However, Jaslinda later continued towards the summit and was last seen by a mountain guide at about 7.30am on May 24.

The official SAR operation has reportedly been scaled down, but the Semai volunteers have pledged to continue searching for the missing hiker for as long as they are able.

Saarani said involving Orang Asli communities, particularly Tok Batin, would not only strengthen cooperation between authorities and local residents but also help reduce the risk of hikers becoming lost while improving the effectiveness of rescue operations during emergencies.

He added that Orang Asli communities have, on occasion, expressed dissatisfaction when hikers entered forest areas without informing them beforehand.

Saarani said the lack of communication often becomes more problematic when a SAR operation has to be launched following a missing person incident.

“When rescue teams enter the forest, they inevitably move through areas that contain crops and plantations cultivated by the Orang Asli.

“Some of these crops can be damaged when large numbers of rescuers enter the area, and this is one of the reasons the community has raised concerns,” he said.

As such, Saarani said the Tok Batin should be involved whenever hiking activities are planned in areas within or near Orang Asli settlements.

He also backed proposals to engage Orang Asli as mountain guides, citing existing initiatives in Belum and Hutan Amanjaya where members of the indigenous community already serve as rangers and guides.

“We involve the local community in forest management. Orang Asli are already serving as rangers, and we also have Orang Asli working as mountain guides,” he said.