TAPAH, June 9 — After nearly two weeks lost in the Gunung Batu Putih area and three days in hospital, hiker Jaslinda Saludin says she is looking forward to returning home to rest, while promising to address speculation surrounding her disappearance at a later date.

The 49-year-old was discharged from Tapah Hospital today following her rescue last Saturday.

Seen leaving the hospital at about 1.50 pm with a walking stick and her left foot bandaged, Jaslinda said her immediate priority was to recover.

“After this, I want to go home, sleep and rest first,” she told reporters before leaving with her husband.

Jaslinda also said she would give a statement at an appropriate time to address speculation surrounding her disappearance.

“I will issue a statement later. Everything that has been said and heard is untrue. I will explain my side of the story later,” she said.

She expressed gratitude to Malaysians who had prayed for her safety throughout the ordeal.

“Alhamdulillah, I am well. Thank you to everyone for your prayers and well wishes. I truly appreciate them.

“I would also like to apologise to all parties for the difficulties caused during this incident. Thank you and I am sorry,” she said.

Meanwhile, her husband, Haszman Othman, 61, said the incident should serve as a lesson for organisers of hiking activities to strengthen participants’ safety measures.

He suggested stricter participation requirements, including mandatory health screenings and age limits, to help reduce the risk of emergencies in mountainous terrain.

“The conditions should be tightened. Perhaps there should be an age limit of below 45 and a health report before participants are allowed to join. Otherwise, it can cause difficulties for many parties,” he said.

Haszman said his wife’s interest in hiking remained unchanged despite the ordeal, but any future expeditions would have to be undertaken with greater caution.

“I told her she can continue hiking but she must bring the children along and be more careful,” he said.

Last Saturday, Jaslinda was found in a weakened condition near Kampung Lubuk Gaharu, Pos Musoh, at about 5 pm by a villager, ending a search that lasted nearly two weeks.

She was reported missing on May 23 while participating in the Trans Spencer Chapman hiking expedition along the Pos Gedung-Gunung Bah Gading-Gunung Batu Putih-Kuala Woh route with 13 other participants and two forestry mountain guides. — Bernama