GOPENG: “Acap, Acap. Mother is here. Come back Acap”! was the heart breaking plea made by the mother of Mohammad Ashraf Hassan, 29, the Gopeng Ultra Trail participant who has been missing since March 23.
Despite having a heart condition, Siti Maznah Khamis, 62, hiked up to the hills in the area where the fifth of seven sibling went missing.
A poignant video clip of the family searching for Ashraf, who is known as Acap, has gone viral.
Since the Muar District Health Clinic labratory assistant went missing 10 days ago, his family members had gathered here to obtain more information on Acap as well as help in the Search and Rescue (SAR) operation.
His brother, Mohd Zahiruddin, 35, said the family would not give up hope and would continue to look for him no matter how long it took.
“Mother suffers from a heart ailment, but her spirit remains strong to find Acap, and it has seen her traversing the hills and jungles, even at night.
“The family has been searching for Acap by following the route he ran, as well as nearby river banks and jungles together with the members of the SAR and local villagers,” he said.
Acap’s family members are putting up at a nearby inn while they continue to search for him.
“In addition to the search, we are also making efforts through Islamic treatment through the aid of an ustaz.
“Mother has not given up performing Solat Hajat and is hopeful that Acap will be found soon.
“There are no signs yet on the whereabouts and condition of my younger brother,” he said.
Meanwhile, the director of the Gopeng Ultra Trail 2019 event, Muhammad Irwan Yusuf said the event was held for the third time since 2017 and the route had been used before.
“The route goes by villages, houses as well as farms, whereas the route before Gua Tempurung is rocky in nature and is used by local villagers.
“The Fire and Rescue Department also said the route was not dangerous.”
Ashraf was one of the participants in a mixed group of 485 runners in the 25km run on March 23.
He failed to return to the finish line when the event ended at 2pm.
The subsequent SAR operation saw the involvement of 800 people from various agencies such as police, Fire and Rescue Department, Civil Defence Force, People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) and villagers.
After a week of futile search efforts, police called off their SAR last Saturday.
Perak police chief Datuk Razarudin Husain said the SAR operation and the control post would be reactivated should there be new leads.