Fire dept advises climbers to report themselves to area operators first

MARANG - The Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) has advised sport climbing enthusiasts to report themselves to area operators and obtain prior information about current conditions from them before embarking on their activities.

Its director-general, Datuk Seri Mohammad Hamdan Wahid said this was important to ensure there were no unwanted incidents, especially during the Northeast Monsoon period which had yet to end.

"They (climbers) need to obtain information on whether a particular place is safe or not because those who look after those places will know the conditions of the area better.

"If there is no operator in a certain place, they (climbers) need to then obtain information from the nearest local authority or police station and fire station so that we will know their position, and if there is an emergency, it will be easier for us to know how many people are involved and so on,” he said.

Mohammad Hamdan was asked to elaborate on the incident involving a climber, Haniff Harun, 47, who was found drowned in Sungai Tanum, while descending Gunung Tahan, near Kuala Juram, Merapoh in Lipis, Pahang recently. - BERNAMA