Jungle survival, tracking skills an advantage for Orang Asli fire and rescue personnel

A fireman Muhammad Yusri Bahpat, 42, from the Semai tribe who is attached to the Tapah Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) said he was often called upon in search and rescue missions to locate people missing in the jungle.

He said their jungle survival and tracking skills make the community an ideal choice to be recruited as fire and rescue personnel.

"After six months of joining the recruit in 2010, I was assigned to Nilai BBP, Negeri Sembilan before being transferred to this station since 2013," he told Bernama when met here recently.

He said among the techniques used in search of a missing person in the jungle was to locate the trail of footprints.

The father of five from Kampung Batu 16, Jalan Pahang here said Orang Asli personnel need to have skills in various operations.

Another fireman Raihan Bah Kapak @ Ramli, 36, who is from the Semai tribe has the expertise in catching wild and dangerous animals.

He joined the recruit 10 years ago and was stationed at Kajang BBP for three years before being transferred to the Tapah BBP which is close to several Orang Asli villages including his own village, Kampung Batu 14.

"I often involved in operations to catch various types of snakes and other animals such as wild boars before handing them to the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan)," he said.

For Khuruf Atai, 36, from the Jahut tribe, the search for Mohammad Ashraf Hassan, also known as Acap, who went missing while participating in the Gopeng Ultra Trail 2019 (GUT19) in Gua Tempurung, Gopeng in 2019 was among his unforgettable moments as a fire and rescue personnel.

"However, no trace and clues were found despite various efforts carried out at that time," said Khuruf, who hails from Kampung Seboi, Kuala Krau, Temerloh, Pahang.

Meanwhile, Perak Fire and Rescue Department director Azmi Osman said the department had four Orang Asli personnel so far and he encouraged the community to join the fire brigade.

"They are known for their fighting spirit, high level of integrity and trustworthiness in carrying out their duties," he said.