KUCHING: The rising cases of climbers stranded on Gunung Santubong lately is a cause for concern, said Sarawak Fire and Rescue Services director (JBPM) Nor Hisham Mohamad.
He said, from September and up to now, a total of five rescue operations involving 30 victims were carried out at various levels of the mountain.
“Generally such incidences occur because the climbers underestimate the level of difficulty in scaling Gunung Santubong, especially for day trips because it has many challenging verticals.
“My advice to climbers is to ensure they are fit, guides must be double fit to avoid psychological effects to climbers being accompanied if any incidence happens,” he said.
He was speaking at a press conference after the handing over of a rescue boat and engine to the department from the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) here today.
SEDC general manager Soedirman Aini officiated at the function.
Nor Hisham said, as a preventive measure, the department would contact the Sarawak Forest Department to make it compulsory for climbers to register and inform them of any climbing activities.
Meanwhile he said Sarawak JBPM currently has 55 various water vehicles on standby to face the expected floods despite the absence of the La Nina phenomenon according to the Meteorological Department weather forecast.--BERNAMA