Lojing: The Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) is on standby to assist in the search and rescue (SAR) operation for six hikers, including two children aged nine and 13, who remain missing after entering the Gunung Trans Gerah area in Lojing, Gua Musang. Its director, Farhan Sufyan Borhan, confirmed the deployment readiness of four members from the department's Special Tactical Operations and Rescue Team (STORM), alongside four firefighters from Gua Musang and six mountain guides from the district.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Farhan explained that the team is stationed at the Gua Musang Fire and Rescue Station and will only be deployed if assistance is requested by the Perak Fire and Rescue Department, which is currently heading the SAR operation. The hikers, identified as Shafiee Sidek, 49; Hazman Mamat, 43; Wan Ahmad Aslam Wan Zairudin, 39; Siti Zulaiha Norizan, 39; Diya Raisha Wan Ahmad Aslam, 13; and Ahmad Raef Wan Ahmad Aslam, nine, were reportedly seen entering the state of Perak by another group on September 1.
The search operation is concentrated on the Perak side, but the standby team in Kelantan is prepared to intervene should the hikers re-enter the trail from the Kelantan side. Farhan noted that the typical trek across all three mountains in the area takes about three days, but it remains unclear if the group is lost or if any members are injured.
The journey from the Gua Musang Fire and Rescue Station to Gunung Gerah's foothills involves approximately four and a half hours of travel, including one hour on paved roads and three and a half hours on an off-road route.
Gua Musang Police chief Supt Sik Choon Foo mentioned that this incident is unprecedented for the area, involving a group losing contact after entering. The hikers held valid permits from the state forestry department and had hired two mountain guides. This is reportedly their first attempt at climbing this particular mountain, although they have experience in hiking other mountains, as evidenced by their decision to employ guides.
Initially, six individuals, including four family members and two guides, were feared missing after commencing their hike on August 29. Their families reported them missing when they did not return by September 3 as planned.