Tapah: The Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM) is persisting with search and rescue (SAR) operations for missing hiker Jaslinda Saludin at Gunung Batu Putih, Tapah, with no plans to suspend the mission at this time.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the director-general of JBPM, Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohammad, stated that approximately 50 personnel from various agencies remain engaged in the operation at the site. He added that an additional eight personnel were dispatched to the mountain summit this morning to assist with the rotation of rescue teams. "We have continued the operation since May 24. Today, we sent another eight personnel to the summit to allow for team rotation," Nor Hisham shared with reporters following the JBPM Qurban Kasih 2026 Programme.
Nor Hisham noted that based on previous operational experience and the varying terrain conditions in mountainous areas compared with the sea, the department is not currently considering ending the operation. Jaslinda, aged 49, was reported to have joined 13 other individuals and two Forestry Mountain Guides (MGP) for the Trans Spencer Chapman expedition, which commenced at 2 am on May 23. The route included Pos Gedung-Gunung Bah Gading-Gunung Batu Putih-Kuala Woh.
Jaslinda, along with another climber, Mohd Hanafi Neikmad, 41, reportedly faced health issues and paused during the climb. However, Jaslinda was said to have continued towards the mountain peak and was last seen by an MGP at 7:30 am on May 24.
In a related event, Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu highlighted the Qurban Kasih Programme, organised in partnership with JBPM and the Sepang parliamentary constituency. The initiative aimed to distribute sacrificial meat to ministry personnel and approximately 2,500 recipients around Sepang. The programme, conducted on the last day of Tasyrik, 13 Zulhijjah, saw the sacrifice of 50 cows and three goats, involving about 500 volunteers from 38 traditional Sepang villages, including JBPM personnel, villagers, village heads, and councillors.