“She was stumbling and in tears’: Villager recalls discovering missing hiker Jaslinda”

TAPAH, June 7 — Hiker Jaslinda Saludin, 49, who went missing while trekking at Gunung Batu Putih on May 24, was found safe near Kampung Orang Asli Lubuk Gaharu yesterday.

Villager Nazri a/l Bah Eng, 55, who discovered her at around 5 pm, said she was seen stumbling and carrying a plastic bag containing various plants and mushrooms when he and two family members were heading towards a river near their village.

“We were on our way to go fishing in the river when one of us suddenly came across Jaslinda in a weak condition and crying. She was also holding a plastic bag filled with mushrooms.

“I quickly took her to the village chief’s house, where we gave her food and drinks as she appeared extremely exhausted,” he said when met at Tapah Hospital yesterday.

After confirming she was safe, he promptly alerted the authorities about the discovery before the Search and Rescue team arrived at the scene, he added.

Jaslinda was part of a 13-member group led by two forestry mountain guides who began the Trans Spencer Chapman hike at 2 am on May 23 via the Pos Gedung–Gunung Bah Gading–Gunung Batu Putih–Kuala Woh trail.

Jaslinda and another hiker, Mohd Hanafi Neikmad, 41, had experienced health issues and stopped, but she reportedly continued towards the summit and was last seen at 7.30 am on May 24. — Bernama