KUCHING: Members of the public planning to go hiking are advised not to do so alone, and to inform the relevant authorities of their whereabouts for safety purposes.
Federal Minister for Women, Family and Community Development, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, said the case involving female hiker Jaslinda Saludin, 49, who was found safe after being missing for two weeks in the Gunung Batu Putih area in Tapah, Perak, should serve as a lesson to the public.
She said those intending to participate in hiking activities should first obtain information about the area and trail conditions so they can be better prepared.
“The advice is not only for women but for everyone to learn about and gather information on the location beforehand.
“This way, our family members know where we are going, and if possible, do not go alone because it can be dangerous,” she told reporters after officiating the ‘Pengenalan Program Sahabat PSSS YKN: Mahasiswa Prihatin dan Jejak Hijau’ event at Trombol Beach this morning.
Nancy also expressed her appreciation to the Orang Asli community for playing a crucial role in locating the victim and providing her with food.
She said the incident highlighted the dangers of being lost in forested areas, which are also habitats for wild animals.
Earlier, Jaslinda was reported to have begun the Trans Spencer Chapman hike at 2:00 am on May 23 together with 13 other participants and two Forestry Mountain Guides (MGP) 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 hiking.
However, the supply chain executive with a private company was later reported to have continued her journey towards the mountain summit and was last seen on May 24.
