GERIK, Sept 8 — The Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) recommends that the authorities review the standard operating procedure (SOP) regarding the age limit for children participating in extreme activities and hiking expeditions along challenging routes in mountainous areas.

Perak JPBM director Datuk Sayani Saidon (she) said the measure should be given attention to reduce risks when conducting such high-risk activities.

“This recommendation is because the risk of physical injury for children who go through challenging tracks is higher than adult climbers.

“If there is no standard (SOP), I feel it is time for the relevant department to look at this matter more carefully and transparently so that we can limit the involvement of climbers, especially underage ones, for the safety factor itself,” she said when met at the Trojan Jetty, Tasik Banding, here, today.

Previously, six climbers who participated in the Trans Gerah Expedition in Gunung Gerah, Kelantan who were found safe yesterday after being reported missing while climbing the mountain on August 29, were safely released from Pos Kemar, 10.20 this morning.

The six victims involved, Wan Ahmad Aslam Wan Zairudin, 39, and his wife Siti Zulaiha Norizan, 39, as well as children Diya Raisha, 13, and Ahmad Raef, 9, as well as two mountain guides Shafiee Sidek, 49, and Hazman Mamat, 43, were found safe last night before being taken for a health check-up by medical officers at the Post Health Clinic Kemar.

Previously, the six victims were reported missing after climbing the mountain on August 29, after reportedly failing to leave the forest on the scheduled date, which was September 3, and family members filed a police report on Sunday. — Bernama