KOTA BHARU – “I could hear people who were searching for us, but I couldn’t see them.”
That was among the unforgettable experiences of 22-year-old Miksudiar Aluj when she got lost for 47 days in the Bertam forest near Pos Tohoi, Gua Musang in 2015.
Recounting the dark episode that happened 11 years ago, Miksudiar said she and her friend, Norieen Yaakob, could hear voices of people searching for them, but they were unable to see any sign of them.
She said throughout the entire period of their disappearance, they did not see any security forces or villagers involved in the search and rescue operation.
“Throughout those 47 days, we never saw any security personnel or villagers who were searching for us, only trees surrounding us in the forest,” she said when contacted on Wednesday.
Miksudiar said the trauma of being lost in the forest for 47 days still remains vivid in her memory, causing her to avoid entering forests since she was found safe.
“The trauma of being lost for 47 days is still fresh in my memory, and until now, it has already been 11 years since I last entered a forest.
“If possible, I want to forget it,” she said.
The fifth of eight siblings, she now lives in Kampung Gawin, near Pos Gob, Gua Musang and works in vegetable farming with her family.
She said the incident still haunts her to this day.
“Even today, I still dream about that incident,” she said.
In the tragedy, Miksudiar, who was 11 at the time and Norieen, who was 10, were found alive, while five of their friends died.
She said while they were in the forest, they survived only on forest leaves and fruits.
“We only ate leaves and forest fruits while hiding near the river and occasionally coming out when we were hungry,” she said.
During the incident, Miksudiar was found to be severely malnourished, had lost a significant amount of weight and suffered emotional trauma.
She later received medical treatment and counselling at Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital (HRPZ II).
Miksudiar also said until today, she has never spoken about the incident, even when meeting Norieen a few times.
“I don’t want to recall that incident. Besides, we are safe now and living happy lives.
“Norieen is now married and has a child,” she said.
The disappearance of Miksudiar, Norieen and five other friends began in August 2015 when seven Orang Asli students from Sekolah Kebangsaan Tohoi ran away from their dormitory to avoid punishment after swimming in a nearby river without permission from teachers.
The disappearance, which turned into a tragedy, shocked the nation as days turned into weeks with no news of their fate.
Kelantan police chief at the time, Datuk Mazlan Lazim said both survivors were found about 3.3 kilometres from the search and rescue (SAR) command centre at 12.15pm while sheltering under hanging tree roots on the bank of Sungai Perias.
Five of their friends who also went missing – Ika Ayel, 9; Haikal Yaakob, 8; Sasa Sobrie, 8; Linda Rosli, 8; and Juvina David, 7 – were found dead in the forest.