GERIK, Sept 7 — Rescue teams are being mobilised by water, land and air in preparation for a search and rescue (SAR) operation for six individuals feared missing while hiking at Gunung Trans Gerah in Lojing, Kelantan.

Perak Fire and Rescue Department (better known by its Malay initials JBPM) director Datuk Sayani Saidon said the department received information about the missing two mountain guides and four family members yesterday afternoon, prompting discussions with the JBPM 

headquarters’ operations division on the search plan.

He said three boats from the Trojan Jetty in Gerik would transport eight members of the Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team and five fire and rescue mountain guides by water to Pos Kemar.

“A total of 12 Forestry Mountain Guides are also travelling from Sungai Siput in four-wheel-drive vehicles to Pos Kemar, with the journey expected to take about four hours.

“All teams will gather at Pos Kemar, which will serve as the Forward Control Post,” he said when contacted today.

Sayani said the JBPM air unit from the Northern Region JBPM Bertam Air Base was scheduled to depart Bertam at 2pm today for an aerial survey, beginning at the last location where the six were seen on Sept 1 before proceeding towards Pos Kemar.

“The aerial survey is important to give us an initial overview of the search area, including identifying routes that can be used by the ground teams,” he said.

He said the JBPM canine unit which arrived this morning, was on standby but had yet to be deployed pending finalisation of the operation plan.

“A multi-agency coordination meeting is still being held at the Gerik District Police Headquarters to determine the SAR plan and deployment on the ground,” he said.

The operation involves the Royal Malaysia Police, Forestry Department, Department of Wildlife and National Parks, General Operations Force, JBPM and Forestry Mountain Guides.

The six began their hike on Aug 29 and were due to emerge from the forest on Sept 3.

A report was lodged by their family members yesterday after they failed to return as scheduled. — Bernama