Search continues for Singaporean hikers missing on Johor mountain

The search for Singaporean hikers Lum Jie and Dominick Tan Chang Xiang – who went missing while hiking up a mountain in Johor – has so far turned up no results, said local authorities.

The 27-year-olds may have strayed from the usual route taken by those climbing Gunung Pulai in Kulai, said the Johor Police in a Facebook post on Wednesday (7 February) evening. The same post described Tan as an experienced hiker who had hiked up Gunung Lipai in the past.

“However, we do not rule out the possibility that the victims did not use the usual hiking route, which caused them to get lost,” the post added in Malay.

According to media reports, the pair were reported missing at about 5.55pm on Monday evening after they entered the Gunung Pulai area at around noon that day. One report claimed that Lum had hurt herself and that Tan had attempted to call for help on his phone.

The ongoing search-and-rescue operation comprises personnel from various agencies, including the local fire department, dog unit, police and military. Together, their efforts cover an area of 36km around the mountain.

Singapore’s consul general in Johor, Rajpal Singh, was reported to have visited the search-and-rescue operations centre and is said to have spoken to the families of the missing hikers.

Chloe Quek Yixuan, a friend of Lum, has also put out a Facebook post asking for experienced hikers to help by joining in the search.

“The team starts from 8am and there is no ending time… Grateful if you may share to any groups or people who might be able to join the team,” said Quek.