IPOH, Oct 17 — Two mountain guides, in their 40s, have been detained to assist in the investigation into the death of a hiker on Gunung Liang, near Tanjong Malim, yesterday.

Perak deputy police chief SAC Mohammad Azlin Sadari said their investigations found that although the two guides had valid permits for the Fraser’s Hill trek in Pahang, they did not have a valid permit to enter the forest reserve area in Perak.

“They were arrested under Section 47 of the National Forestry Act 1984. However, they have been released on police bail after having their statements recorded,” he told a media conference here today.

He said the victim, 34-year-old Mustaqqeem Mansoor, of Sungai Petani, Kedah, died due to ill health and not from a fall as reported.

He added that the victim is believed to have collapsed while hiking with his 10 friends, who began their ascent from Fraser’s Hill, Bentong, Pahang, before descending through the Gunung Liang route in Perak.

“The victim had earlier suffered an injury and was nowhere to be seen when all the climbers had descended,” he said. 

He added that the rescue team, comprising various agencies including the Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), is still trying to bring the victim’s body down from the location.

Yesterday, the JBPM said in a statement that a man, who was reported missing for the past two days after joining the group of hikers, had been found dead at the summit of Gunung Liang Barat at about 3.30pm.

However, efforts to bring the body down by helicopter were hampered by adverse weather. — Bernama

 Malay Mail – Malaysia