JOHOR BARU: Authorities have found the missing hiker who went missing while descending Gunung Pulai on Sunday (Dec 19).
Skudai Fire and Rescue Department operation chief Mohd Khairi Zainudin, who led the search and rescue operation, said the 56-year-old hiker was found safe and in stable condition around 12.30am on Tuesday (Dec 20).
“The hiker was found in a secondary forest area, about 2km from where his last location was reported.
"When the victim responded to our calls, the search and rescue team was able to locate his position which was not a trekking path.
“The victim was looking pale and tired when he was found but after we gave him food, he was back to his normal self and managed to walk by himself without support,” he said in a statement.
Mohd Khairi said the operation ended at 3.30am and the man was handed over to the Health Ministry officials who took him away in an ambulance to a nearby hospital.
Meanwhile, Johor police chief Comm Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat said that individuals who trespassed in permanent forest reserves in Johor, which is temporarily closed due to the rainy weather, will face legal action.
He reminded the public that it was the monsoon season when national parks were off limits due to safety reasons.
“This is a reminder as there are still some stubborn individuals who did not follow the rules.
“There are still some camping and hiking being done on the hillside despite authorities having banned recreational activities at forest reserves throughout the state,” he said in a press conference held at the Johor police headquarters.
“The rescued hiker has trespassed the area, which is temporarily off limits to the public and we will take action against anyone.
“We are doing this to avoid unwanted accidents involving public safety, especially now with the ongoing monsoon season. As a reminder to the public, please follow the rules that have been given,” he said.
On Monday (Dec 19), authorities launched a search and rescue operation to find the missing hiker.
He was last seen by other hikers in the area at around 10am on Sunday after he started climbing alone at 7am, after he was shown the trail to the mountain by his friend.
Recreational activities have been temporarily banned in all permanent forest reserves in the state due to the rainy season.
According to a notice posted on the state Forestry Department’s Facebook page, the ruling came into effect starting yesterday until further notice.
“All forest eco-parks, hiking trails and four-wheel drive routes in Johor permanent forest reserves are closed to the public until a date to be announced later.
“This closure is a precautionary measure to avoid any unwanted incident or accident during the rainy season,” it said.
It warned that those who failed to adhere to the ruling would face action under the Johor National Forestry Act (Adoption) Enactment 1985.
