Tapah: The search and rescue operation for missing female hiker Jaslinda Saludin, 49, at Gunung Batu Putih near Tapah is now being intensified with additional manpower.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) director Datuk Sayani Saidon stated that the additional personnel are part of a plan to mount an integrated, thorough operation in the focused search sector. As of 10 am, 21 rescue personnel remain in the Gunung Batu Putih search sector, comprising 13 from JBPM, three from the Forestry Department, and five Perak Forestry Mountain Guides (MGP).

"Communication with the rescue team is still down, believed to be due to them being in a valley with no coverage," she said in a statement today. She added that at 1.13 am, 17 Civil Defence Force (APM) members exited through Pos Musoh, while five others, one JBPM member and four Forestry staff, exited through Pos Kuala Woh at 2.12 am.

Sayani reported that six JBPM members have reached the peak of Gunung Rayu, and they are in good condition, with sufficient food and water supplies, and have had adequate rest. "However, the team on the ground is facing communication constraints because the operation area has no phone coverage, preventing them from sending direct reports to duty officers," she explained.

Information received from the SAR team at 12.30 pm confirmed that a wildlife camera trap belonging to the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) in the Bukit Berapit 2 area had been checked, but no images of the victim were found. The SAR team, together with Perhilitan personnel, then moved to the camera location at Gunung Rayu to retrieve another memory card for analysis.

"The Gunung Rayu camera is located approximately one kilometre off the Sukaneka-Gunung Rayu-Bukit Berapit-Pos Musoh trekking route. Nevertheless, the inspection was carried out to determine whether the victim may have strayed from the main route and passed by that camera," Sayani explained. She noted that based on the camera's coordinates, the area falls under Hulu Jelai, Lipis, Pahang, and the SAR operation continues around Gunung Rayu with JBPM and MGP personnel.

Jaslinda was reported to have begun a Trans Spencer Chapman climb with 13 other individuals and two MGP at 2 am on May 23, via the Pos Gedung-Gunung Bah Gading-Gunung Batu Putih-Kuala Woh route. Jaslinda and another climber, Mohd Hanafi Neikmad, 41, experienced health issues and stopped. However, Jaslinda was reported to have continued her journey toward the mountain peak and was last seen by an MGP on May 24 at 7.30 am.