A female hiker, Jaslinda Saludin, 49, remains missing after she is believed to have strayed from the original trail while climbing Gunung Batu Putih in Perak.
The disappearance occurred during the Trans Spencer Chapman expedition, a mountainous jungle route that passes through Pos Gedung, Gunung Bah Gading, Gunung Batu Putih and is expected to exit via Kuala Woh.
Standing at approximately 2,132 metres, Gunung Batu Putih is not a casual hiking route but a challenging trail that requires stamina, experience and strict group discipline.
Below is the chronology of Jaslinda's disappearance:
May 23, 2026 (Saturday)
- Jaslinda, 49, joined the Trans Spencer Chapman hiking expedition together with 13 other participants and two mountain guides.
- The expedition began at 2am via the Pos Gedung–Mount Bah Gading–Gunung Batu Putih–Kuala Woh route.
May 24, 2026 (Sunday)
- One of the hikers, Mohd Hanafi Neikmad, 41, experienced health complications, including shortness of breath and vomiting blood and stopped at Batu Kor Camp together with a mountain guide.
- Jaslinda initially stopped as well but was believed to have continued the ascent alone towards the summit of Gunung Batu Putih.
- She was last seen at about 7.30am by a mountain guide before being reported missing.
May 25, 2026 (Monday)
- A Search and Rescue (SAR) operation was officially launched by the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) together with other agencies.
- The JBPM's elite Special Tactical Operation And Rescue Team (STORM) rescue team was deployed by helicopter to the summit of Mount Batu Putih to begin search efforts from higher ground.
May 26, 2026 (Tuesday)
- SAR operations focused on the area between Sukaneka Camp and Gunung Rayu after investigators suspected the victim had strayed from the original hiking route.
- Communication capabilities and search equipment were enhanced with the assistance of SAPURA, which manages the Government Integrated Radio Network (GIRN).
May 27, 2026 (Wednesday)
- New clues were discovered, including a water bottle and supplement packets believed to belong to Jaslinda along the trail leading towards Gunung Rayu.
- The discovery strengthened the possibility that she had deviated from the original route.
May 28, 2026 (Thursday)
- The SAR operation entered its fourth day, involving dozens of personnel from various agencies, including JBPM, Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the General Operations Force (PGA) and the Forestry Department.
- Rescue teams camped overnight at the mountain summit to intensify search efforts.
- Police said statements had been recorded from several individuals, including the victim’s husband and mountain guides to assist investigations.
May 29, 2026 (Friday)
- SAR efforts shifted focus to the Sungai Ayer Busok area based on the possibility that the victim may have descended in search of water to survive.
- Rescue teams continued searching for new clues in the hope of locating her safely.
Latest Status (as of 8.30 am)
- The victim has not yet been found.
- SAR operations are ongoing, with additional personnel deployed and search efforts concentrated along river routes.