Dentist found at Mount Yong Belar 24 hours after went missing

Screaming every 30 minutes, hoping for help.

That was the ordeal of that Dr Muhammad Iqbal Arifin had to go through after being lost for over 24 hours following his climb at Mount Yong Belar, Lojing in Gua Musang on Saturday.

The 29-year-old who ran out of food had to drink river water to survive while battling the cold in the forest.

The dentist, who lost his way on his climb down, was found on Sunday by two Myanmar plantation workers who brought him out to safety.

Dr Muhammad Iqbal said he shouted for help thrice every half an hour before taking a break to rest.

Around 2.30pm, he was lucky enough to stumble into the Myanmar citizens who worked as farmers and they helped him carry his bag and wet clothes.

The dentist who works in the Melaka State Health Department, said he started his journey up the mountain with 30 other climbers at 7:30am.

His team-mate, Aeida Abu Talib, 46, realised that Dr Muhammad Iqbal was not in the group of climbers, when they stopped to rest about an hour after they began descending.

A missing person’s report was lodged at a police station at 4.22am.

When met at the Lojing police station Dr Muhammad Iqbal said the duo who saved him, brought him to the Lojing Mosque, where he contacted his father as well as the police to inform them of his location.

According to his father, Arifin Md Salleh, this incident would come in handy as a useful experience to

his son and his other family members as they are always interested and get themselves involved in such activities.

Meanwhile, Gua Musang district police station spokesperson said Dr Muhammad Iqbal had been given early treatment while waiting for his family from Melaka to arrive.

He added that the search and rescue operation launched at noon to search for Dr Muhammad Iqbal was ended upon finding him.