Two individuals were discovered by authorities after becoming lost while hiking in Gunung Panti, Kota Tinggi.
The duo, both in their 20s, lacked the required permit to enter the forest reserve without a ranger or a mountain guide, as stated by Johor Forestry Department director Datuk Salim Aman.
“They got lost on their way down the hill and called the Batu Ampat police station at around 6.50pm on Saturday (Dec 16),” Salim said, revealing the circumstances.
“We were notified about the incident as well, and a search and rescue operation started at 7.40pm involving a team of 25 personnel from various departments,” he said in a statement Sunday (Dec 17).
The search team managed to locate the two hikers at the Panti forest reserve around 10.20pm,” said Salim.
According to Salim, the hikers were found to be safe and unharmed.
The man and woman were taken out of the forest and brought to the police station to have their statements recorded. Following this, they were released on police bail.
“They did not have a permit to enter the forest reserve without a ranger or mountain guide, which is an offence and action will be taken against them under Section 47 of the Johor National Forestry Enactment (Adoption) 1995,” Salim stated.
He further noted that the Gunung Panti trek had been announced closed by the Johor Forestry Department starting from December 1.
Salim urged hiking enthusiasts to comply with the rules and take note of closure notices, particularly during the monsoon season, for their own safety.
