Perak police advise hiring certified mountain guides and obtaining permits for hiking safety and efficient rescue operations.
IPOH: Hikers planning mountain treks in Perak should engage certified mountain guides to ensure safety and smooth rescue operations during emergencies.
Perak police chief Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin warned that hiring unqualified or unregistered guides or agencies could pose serious risks in remote areas.
Forest exploration requires proper knowledge, experience, and training, which is why guide certification is essential.
Hikers must also ensure physical preparedness and bring appropriate food and diet for their climbs.
Any group or individual intending to hike must inform the nearest police station and obtain an official permit from the State Forestry Department.
Failure to obtain permits or notify authorities could delay rescue operations during incidents like the recent hiker death at Gunung Liang.
Permits serve to notify authorities of human activity rather than create bureaucracy for immediate rescue deployment.
Registration ensures authorities know hiker numbers, entry points, and exit locations for faster rescue coordination.
A 34-year-old hiker from Sungai Petani died at Gunung Liang Barat summit on October 16 after beginning his ascent from Fraser’s Hill on October 10 with ten companions.
The Perak Forestry Department closed the Gunung Liang hiking trail in South Perak immediately on October 22 until further notice.
The closure does not apply to departmental programmes like the Forest Reserve Conservation Trek Programme as stipulated by the department. – Bernama
