Perak: A team of Orang Asli volunteers from Kampung Woh is preparing to assist in the search and rescue (SAR) operation for a female hiker, Jaslinda Saludin, 49, who went missing while climbing Gunung Batu Putih on May 24.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the team's coordinator, Chew Ho Beng, stated that 22 volunteers from the Semai tribe, aged between 20 and 60, are making preparations, including gathering food supplies and equipment required for an operation that may last five to six days. The operation will commence from the village, focusing on areas around Kem Sukaneka and Gunung Rayu, although the route they will take is different from the existing trail.

Chew emphasized that all the volunteers possess extensive experience and knowledge of the forest, which includes identifying routes, tracking signs, and noticing changes in terrain that could aid the search operation. They offered their assistance, believing their expertise in the forest area could help expand efforts to locate the missing hiker.

Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) director Datuk Sayani Saidon mentioned that the Orang Asli volunteers would be divided into smaller groups to focus on areas outside the main trail between Kem Sukaneka and Gunung Rayu.

Meanwhile, Perak JBPM assistant director of operations Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad reported communication difficulties in the SAR operation, which entered its ninth day today. The SAR personnel, deployed by a JBPM MI-17 aircraft yesterday, remain on site and are expected to return by noon tomorrow. No additional teams are entering the location today, either by aircraft or via land routes, with 24 rescue personnel currently deployed to priority search areas.

Jaslinda was reported missing while participating in the Trans Spencer Chapman expedition, which began at 2 am on May 23 with 13 other participants and two Forestry Mountain Guides via the Pos Gedung-Gunung Bah Gading-Gunung Batu Putih-Kuala Woh route.