Gua musang: Six hikers participating in the Trans Gerah expedition at Gunung Gerah in the Lojing Permanent Forest Reserve in Kelantan were found safe after being unaware of a search and rescue (SAR) operation until they heard a helicopter overhead at Kem Kulim.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Wan Ahmad Aslam Wan Zairudin, one of the hikers, stated that his family remained in good condition during their time in the forest. However, he anticipated that any delay in their return might lead their families to contact authorities. "Our suspicions were confirmed when we heard the helicopter and met a guide from Kelantan. We kept searching for a phone signal to reach our family," he mentioned upon arrival at the Gerik district police headquarters.

Previously, Wan Ahmad Aslam, his wife Siti Zulaiha Norizan, their children Diya Raisha and Ahmad Raef, and two mountain guides, Shafiee Sidek and Hazman Mamat, were safely evacuated from Pos Kemar via the Trojan Jetty, Tasik Banding, thanks to the rescue team.

Wan Ahmad Aslam explained that the trek's challenging terrain, especially between Gunung Beratoh and Gunung Sepat, hindered their progress. "Typically, we can cover eight to ten kilometres daily, but with the guides clearing paths, we were limited to two to three kilometres a day," he explained.

Regarding his children's involvement, he emphasized the benefits of long-distance hiking in promoting discipline and a healthy lifestyle, while reducing reliance on gadgets. "I aimed to cut down gadget use, and hiking has been effective in doing so," he added.

Meanwhile, Shafiee mentioned that the group opted for a shortcut from Gunung Sepat to Kampung Orang Asli (KOA) Agek due to water resource concerns on the extended Gunung Bieh-Sepat route. "We thought about turning back, but reaching Kem Perodua would take too long, and we were short on water," he said, adding that despite never having taken that shortcut before, he relied on his experience.

Shafiee assured that their food supplies were adequate throughout the 11-day expedition, eliminating the need for rationing. The group went missing on September 6 after failing to exit the forest by their scheduled date of September 3, following their entry on August 29.