Stranded Giat Mara trainees on Gunung Panti found safe

Four Giat Mara (skills training provider) trainees who got stranded for almost 20 hours while trekking up Gunung Panti here yesterday, were found safe.

Kota Tinggi police chief Supt Rahmat Othman said all the victims, namely Muhammad Firdaus Zainal, 18, Muhammad Nazhan Azhar, 19, Zariqh Ideed, 21, and Mohd Fakrul Nazmi, 18, were found by the search and rescue (SAR) team about 700 metres from the searching paths at 11.55am today.

"They were found safe without any injury and taken to the Batu Ampat Police Station for further action," he said in a statement here today.

Rahmat said the SAR operation, involving various agencies, was mounted yesterday after the police were alerted about the news by the father of Muhammad Firdaus about 6pm.

He also advised trekkers who wish to climb the mountain to register first with the Forestry Department and police.

"This is to ensure the safety of the climbers and that their every movement will be monitored. Failure to inform the authorities will pose as troublesome should there is untoward incident," he said.

-- BERNAMA