IPOH, June 5 — Members of the public and non-Malim Gunung Perhutanan (MGP) members are barred from joining the search and rescue operation for a female hiker missing at Gunung Batu Putih, Tapah, on safety grounds.

Malaysian Mountain Guides Association (PMGM) chairman, Muzafar Mohamad, said the decision was made because the Trans Beratih route, which is the focus of the search, is a relatively new trail unfamiliar to many, including some members of the MGP.

“Many are unaware that not all MGP members are familiar with the route, as the trail was only recently opened and is not a standard hiking path.

“If inexperienced members of the public enter the area in large groups, we are concerned it may result in more incidents or tragedies rather than uncovering new leads,” he told Bernama, referring to the announcement of the cancellation of public SAR operations for Jaslinda Saludin, 49, scheduled for tomorrow, posted on the Perak MGP Facebook page.

Muzafar said the police, Fire and Rescue Department, Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM), the General Operations Force (GOF) and the state Forestry Department all supported restricting participation in the operation to minimise the risk of accidents.

“The journey to the victim’s last location via the Perak route takes at least two and a half days on foot, making the search operation highly challenging.

“In previous operations, SAR teams also used helicopters to deploy personnel to the search area due to the long distance and difficult terrain,” he said.

Muzafar said the Perak MGP is coordinating with its counterparts in Pahang, who plan to access the search area via the Pos Titom route, believed to be closer to the summit of Gunung Batu Putih.

“However, the effort remains subject to approval from the relevant authorities, including the district officer and the state Forestry Department.

“In addition, Team Pelindung, a non-governmental organisation under the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan), together with Orang Asli communities in Pos Lenjang and Pos Titom, has carried out several searches on the Pahang side, including setting up trail cameras and tracking routes that the victim may have taken,” he said.

Muzafar said the Perak MGP, the Fire and Rescue Department and the Forestry Department are continuing to work closely and stay in regular contact to coordinate the SAR operation and decide on the search areas to be covered.

“We suggest that members of the public who wish to help channel their contributions directly to the Orang Asli communities in Pos Titom and Pos Lenjang in Pahang, who are assisting in the search, as the operational funds currently managed in Perak are sufficient.

“The involvement of local communities, especially the Orang Asli, is crucial as they have deep knowledge of the forest and have been helping with the search efforts since the operation began,” he said.

The SAR operation for Jaslinda is now continuing on a targeted, small-scale basis led by the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), focusing on areas identified as having new clues to her disappearance.

Jaslinda was reported to have begun the Trans Spencer Chapman trek at 2 am on May 23 together with 13 others and two MGP members, taking the Pos Gedung-Gunung Bah Gading-Gunung Batu Putih-Kuala Woh route.

The private sector employee and another climber, Mohd Hanafi Neikmad, 41, were reported to have experienced health issues and stopped their ascent. However, Jaslinda is believed to have continued towards the summit and was last seen on May 24. — Bernama