KUALA LUMPUR, June 2 — A man was found dead inside a vacant two-storey building on Jalan Dato Onn Jaafar in Ipoh, Perak, on Tuesday.

According to The Star, Perak Fire and Rescue Department assistant director of operations Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said the discovery was made after police requested assistance to gain entry into the locked premises at about 1.25pm.

He said a team from the Ipoh Fire and Rescue Station arrived at the scene six minutes later and found the building’s entrance secured with a locked metal grille.

Firefighters then used a power saw to cut through the grille before entering the building.

Sabarodzi said that upon entering the premises, they found a man on the first floor.

The victim was later pronounced dead at the scene by police.

The body was subsequently handed over to the authorities for further action.

The operation, involving six firefighters and five police personnel, ended at 1.55pm.

IPOH, June 6 — The search and rescue (SAR) operation for Jaslinda Saludin, 49, who went missing in the Gunung Batu Putih area, has entered its 14th day without any new leads, although the search has continued on a smaller scale since Thursday.

Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Operations Division assistant director Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said that throughout the operation, several items were found at various locations such as river areas, hill slopes and the paths taken, but after verification, it was confirmed that these items did not belong to the victim.

He said that as of Thursday, eight members of the Special, Tactical and Rescue Team of Malaysia (STORM) and two Forest Mountain Guides (MGP) were still involved in the search sector location, and all of them safely exited at 11.30 am.

“Yesterday, there were five search teams consisting of members from the Forestry Department and MGP who entered the search sector location.

“The group of Orang Asli community members who have been involved in the search since June 3 are still in the search sector, but it is reported that there have been no findings so far,” he said in a statement today.

Meanwhile, Sabarodzi said that so far, the Perak JBPM had received many volunteer applications to participate in the joint search, but through screening and coordination with Forestry Department officers, some applications had to be rejected.

“Among them (the factors for application rejection) are compliance with SOP (standard operating procedures), unsuitable time periods, insufficient equipment and facilities, as well as several other criteria,” he said.

However, he said that at the same time, there were also groups that had been allowed to participate in the search after their applications met the specified criteria.

In the meantime, through Facebook, the Perak JBPM also showed several search methods that have been carried out, including searches or reviews at several identified potential locations based on the information and clues obtained, as well as reciting the call to prayer.

In addition, the Perak JBPM also had to present the actual scenario to the public, especially to those who have never climbed a mountain or traversed thick forest paths like those at Gunung Batu Putih.

“What looks easy on the map or in pictures actually demands physical strength, mental endurance and high levels of experience. Steep, slippery, rocky paths filled with tree roots, rivers, and ravines become the main challenges that the SAR teams have to face every day,” according to the post.

Previously, the female climber was reported to have started the Trans Spencer Chapman trek at 2 am on May 23, along with 13 other individuals and two MGPs, via the Pos Gedung–Gunung Bah Gading–Gunung Batu Putih–Kuala Woh route.

Jaslinda and another climber, Mohd Hanafi Neikmad, 41, experienced health issues and stopped climbing, however, the supply chain executive at a private company was reported to have continued the journey to the mountain peak and was last seen on May 24. — Bernama

IPOH, June 6 — A man with mental disabilities who was reported missing after leaving his home in Simpang 4, Anak Kurau, near Batu Kurau last Sunday was found dead in a plantation area near Teratak Afrina Chalet today.

Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Operations Division assistant director Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said the department received an emergency call on the discovery of the body of Zakaria Shamsudin, 42, at 12.19 pm.

He said firefighters found the body about 500 metres from where the fire engine was stationed, and police later confirmed it was Zakaria, who had been reported missing nearly a week ago.

“The victim’s body was handed over to the police for further action,” he said in a statement today.

On June 1, Zakaria was reported missing after leaving his home at about 4 pm. He was last seen walking with his stepson towards a bush area about 300 metres from the house before disappearing when the boy stopped to tie his shoelaces.  — Bernama

IPOH, June 6 — Hiker Jaslinda Saludin, 49, who went missing while trekking Gunung Batu Putih near Tapah on May 24, was found safe near Kampung Lubuk Gaharu, Pos Musoh, this afternoon.

Perak Fire and Rescue Department director Datuk Sayani Saidon said the private company supply chain executive was found by a villager, Nazri Bah Eng, at about 3 pm.

“Upon finding the victim, he informed his nephew in Johor, who then lodged a report with the authorities,” he said in a statement today.

He said Jaslinda was in a safe condition and had been temporarily placed at the residence of the Tok Batin of Kampung Lubuk Gaharu while the relevant authorities coordinated the next course of action.

Jaslinda was part of a group of 14 hikers and two Forestry Mountain Guides who began the Trans Spencer Chapman expedition at 2 am on May 23 via the Pos Gedung-Gunung Bah Gading-Gunung Batu Putih-Kuala Woh route.

She and fellow hiker Mohd Hanafi Neikmad, 41, reportedly encountered health problems and stopped the climb. However, Jaslinda later continued towards the summit and was last seen on May 24 before being reported missing. — Bernama