Jakarta, ThedailyID — A Malaysian hiker survived 14 days alone in a remote jungle after becoming separated from her group during a mountain expedition in western Malaysia.
Authorities found 49-year-old Jaslinda Saludin alive on Saturday after an extensive search operation near Mount Batu Putih in Perak state. She reportedly survived without food and relied mainly on water collected from pitcher plants and other natural sources.
Jaslinda joined a hiking group of 14 participants and two guides on May 23. The group began its trek at Mount Batu Putih, a popular hiking destination near Tapah.
She went missing the following day after stopping to rest because of severe leg cramps and pain. After recovering, she attempted to continue the hike alone.
Guides last saw Jaslinda at around 7:30 a.m. local time on May 24. At the time, they believed she had moved ahead toward the summit.
Authorities only realized she was missing on May 25 after she failed to rejoin the group. Search and rescue teams immediately launched a large-scale operation across the mountainous area.
Speaking after her rescue, Jaslinda described the difficult conditions she endured during nearly two weeks in the wilderness.
“I had no food. I did not eat for two weeks. I only drank water,” she said. She added that she survived by drinking muddy water, brown-colored water, and water trapped inside pitcher plants.
Rescuers eventually found her near an Orang Asli indigenous settlement close to Kampung Lubuk Gaharu at Pos Musoh. Medical teams quickly transported her to a hospital for treatment after she suffered dehydration and severe exhaustion.
Search coordinators said the discovery surprised many rescuers because teams had already searched the area several times during the operation.
According to local guide coordinator Muzafar Mohamad, the terrain includes steep cliffs, waterfalls, and dense forest. Those conditions made access difficult even for experienced mountain guides.
Jaslinda later apologized for causing concern among family members and the wider public. Meanwhile, her husband, Haszman Othman, thanked police officers, firefighters, volunteers, indigenous communities, and rescue personnel who participated in the search.
The remarkable survival story has attracted attention across Malaysia. Many people praised Jaslinda’s resilience and the dedication of the rescue teams that spent two weeks searching for her in challenging conditions.
