Don’t hike alone in the jungles of Bau, warns Rep
BAU: Hikers and jungle trekkers who want to explore the mountains and jungles in Bau are warned not to do so alone, especially for first timers.
Tasik Biru assemblyman Datuk Henry Harry Jinep said the public must learn from the recent incident when a 22-year-old man went missing at Mount Singai here.
“Please go in a group and also remember that you need to inform the locals that you are going up and follow all the routes provided.
“Don’t stray to other routes, otherwise once you go missing it would be very difficult to find you,” he said at the launch of the Tasik Biru Festival here yesterday.
Henry said there are a lot to explore in Bau as it has a lot of mountains and caves.
“Following the recent incident, I have to warn you to be careful if you explore any of these places. The worst is if you go into the cave and can’t find your way out. It would be very difficult to locate you,” he said.
Henry said following the incident at Mt Singai, Bau Security and Development Committee in collaboration with Bau Tourism Action Committee has identified some precautionary measures to be undertaken like putting up safety warning signboards and CCTV at strategic places under the jurisdiction of the villages involved.
He hoped such measures would help prevent similar incidents in the future.
He also lauded the efforts by the various agencies and nongovernmental organisations in the search and rescue operation.
“With the help of agencies, NGOs and individuals in the massive search and rescue operation (SAR), we managed to find the person, who had gone missing for seven days and six nights.
“We thank God that this person was found safe and alive,” he said.
Henry had prepared plaques as tokens of appreciation for the agencies, NGOs and individuals involved in SAR operation.
The plaques were presented by Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
On other matter, Henry made a proposal to Abdul Karim to bring the youth carnival to Bau next year.
“Since Bau is very close to Kuching, I would appreciate if the Minister can consider bringing a big crowd of youths here.
“Youths in Bau are very active in business, socio economy, sports and Bau has produced a lot of good sportsmen with one Olympic silver medalist - Pandelela Rinong Pamg. Even the new Miss World Malaysia, Larissa Ping, is from Bau. Her father is from Taiton while her mother is an Orang Ulu.
“Before this, we have Dewi Liana Seriestha who is also from Bau as Miss World Malaysia 2014 and Miss World 2014 Talent Champion,” he said.
Kuching Resident Ismail Mohd Hanis, Bau district officer Anielia Siam and Bidayuh Temenggong for Kuching Division Austin Dimin were also present.
Please go in a group and also remember that you need to inform the locals that you are going up and follow all the routes provided. — Datuk Henry Harry Jinep, Tasik Biru assemblyman