Hiker Jaslinda Saludin, 49, was found safe on June 6 near Kampung Lubuk Gaharu, Pos Musoh, Tapah, after being lost for 14 days in the Gunung Batu Putih jungle. An Orang Asli villager, Nazri Bah Eng, discovered her in a weak and exhausted state around mid-afternoon and immediately took her to the village chief’s home before she was brought to Tapah Hospital [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8].

Jaslinda was part of a group of 14 hikers and 2 Forestry Department mountain guides who began the Trans Spencer Chapman expedition on May 23. She was last seen on the morning of May 24 at 7:30 a.m. by a mountain guide before continuing alone toward the 2,132-meter summit of Gunung Batu Putih [1, 9, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8].

Search and Rescue (SAR) teams involving STORM units, forestry officials, and Orang Asli volunteers launched operations starting May 25, deploying helicopters and ground teams. They adapted their methods to the difficult terrain and left notes on the trail, including one on May 30 near Pos Musoh, urging Jaslinda to stay in one place. She was found close to the location of that note, confirming the effectiveness of the search efforts [10, 3, 7, 8].

Jaslinda survived by drinking water from natural sources including pitcher plants. She carried a plastic bag containing plants and mushrooms she gathered in the jungle. She endured several minor injuries: insect bites, wounds on her body, hands, and head, and a minor left ankle injury caused by multiple falls during her time in challenging terrain [1, 3, 4, 5, 6].

Jaslinda later described her ordeal: "I had no food, I didn’t eat for two weeks. I drank water… dark water, brown water, water from pitcher plants. So let’s all be grateful to be alive," she said [4].

Perak Fire and Rescue Department assistant director Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad confirmed her stable condition and minor injuries, stating, "Alhamdulillah, she is in stable condition and sustained only minor injuries" [3]. Jaslinda’s sister Jasima said the hiker had begun eating and sleeping well and appeared more cheerful but remained under medical observation: "She wants to eat everything, which is understandable after not eating for 14 days. However, her condition still does not fully permit it, so we are only allowing her to have small amounts at a time" [1].

Jaslinda remains hospitalized in Tapah for further monitoring and recovery.