HIRE CERTIFIED GUIDES, GET PERMITS BEFORE MOUNTAIN HIKES - PERAK POLICE 

IPOH, Oct 30 (Bernama) -- Those planning to go hiking, especially in mountainous areas in Perak, are advised to engage certified mountain guides to ensure their safety and smooth coordination of rescue operations in the event of an emergency.

Perak police chief Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin said hiring unqualified or unregistered guides or agencies could pose risks, particularly during emergencies in remote areas.

“Forests are not easy places to explore. They require proper knowledge, experience and training. That is why we emphasise that guides or organisers must be properly certified.

“Hikers must also ensure they are physically prepared and know the right diet or food to bring during their climb,” he told reporters after attending the Field Training Exercise (FTX) on Disaster Management (Op Cerun) at Kledang Saiong Forest Eco Park here today.

He said any group or individual intending to hike must inform the nearest police station and obtain an official permit from the State Forestry Department before entering the hiking area.

Failure to obtain a permit or notify the authorities, he said, could delay rescue operations if an untoward incident occurs, such as the recent death of a hiker at Gunung Liang.

“The purpose of the permit is not to create bureaucracy but to notify authorities of human activity in the area. If anything happens, rescue teams can be deployed immediately,” he said.

“We need to know how many people are hiking, where they began, and where they are supposed to exit. Registering and reporting all hiking activities ensures faster and more effective rescue coordination,” he added.

On Oct 16, a 34-year-old hiker, Mustaqqeem Mansoor, from Sungai Petani, died at the summit of Gunung Liang Barat after beginning his ascent from Fraser’s Hill on Oct 10 with 10 companions.

The Perak Forestry Department, in a notice issued on Oct 22, announced the immediate closure of the Gunung Liang hiking trail in the South Perak region until further notice.

However, the closure does not apply to departmental programmes such as the Forest Reserve Conservation Trek Programme, as stipulated by the department.

-- BERNAMA