Police and rescue teams search for Halimah Idris, 77, missing since Tuesday in Hutan Melintang, with operations suspended overnight
IPOH: Police are intensifying efforts to locate an elderly woman who went missing after leaving her home in Kampung Teluk Kerdu, Hutan Melintang since Tuesday.
Bagan Datuk district police chief Superintendent Mohammad Ali Mohd Jali confirmed a report was lodged by the missing woman’s niece.
Halimah Idris, 77, was last seen by her niece around 9 am on Tuesday before the niece left for work.
The unmarried woman, believed to be senile, was last spotted around 6 pm yesterday wearing a red baju kurung and a batik sarong.
Mohammad Ali stated the victim is believed to have left her house alone.
A witness reported seeing her walking along an oil palm estate road approximately 200 metres from her residence.
The witness attempted to send her home but she remained silent during the encounter.
A missing person search operation has been launched under police leadership with multiple agencies participating.
The Hutan Melintang Fire and Rescue Station joined the operation alongside the Bagan Datuk Civil Defence Force.
The police K9 Unit and local villagers are also assisting in the extensive search efforts.
The search area focuses on the vicinity surrounding the victim’s home amid oil palm and banana plantations.
A field command post has been established at Surau Al-Ikhsaniah in Teluk Kerdu to coordinate operations.
The search radius covers a three square kilometre area extending from the command post location.
Police have recorded statements from both the complainant and key witnesses to gather additional information.
A public notice has been posted on the official Bagan Datuk Police Facebook page to seek community assistance.
Perak Fire and Rescue Department acting assistant director of operations Shazlean Mohd Hanafiah provided an update on search progress.
The search and rescue operation for the woman was suspended at 6.39 pm and will resume tomorrow morning.
Search teams were deployed at 9 am today following the victim’s last known traces within a five kilometre radius.
Teams employed the sweep method throughout the day to thoroughly cover the designated search area.
The operation will continue at 8 am tomorrow with fresh teams and renewed efforts.
Today’s operation involved nine firefighters including the specialized K9 Unit for tracking.
Sixteen police members participated directly in the ground search operations.
Eight members from the Civil Defence Force provided additional manpower and support.
Fifteen civilian volunteers joined the search efforts to maximize coverage in the plantation areas. – Bernama
