IPOH: A senior citizen died while hiking at Gunung Yong Belar near here, says Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.

       "The victim was part of a group of 14 hikers from Selangor, he said.

       He said 11 hikers safely made the descent to the foot of the mountain but three stopped for a while, believed to be due to exhaustion.

       "It is believed that the victim passed away around 8.30pm.

       "After the victim died, the two (surviving) hikers climbed down and reached the foot of the mountain at Lojing, Kelantan," he told reporters at Taman Eco Rimba Kledaing Saiong on Wednesday (May 18).

       Saarani said that the two hikers reported the incident in Tanjung Rambutan, Perak.

       "The two hikers climbed down to Lojing because it was nearer compared to (the base in) Perak.

       "The body is still on the mountain. I was told that a helicopter might be used to retrieve the body as it will take at least 10 hours to reach the location by foot," he said.

       Gunung Yong Belar is located along Banjaran Titiwangsa that lies between Perak and Kelantan.

       On Sunday (May 15) two hikers went missing, believed to have been swept away by a water surge while hiking at Gunung Suku near Simpang Pulai.

       Rescue teams have so far found several body parts and pieces of clothing.

       Saarani added that the state has also decided to temporarily close several recreational areas under the Perak Forestry Department.

       "Despite issuing permits, there are some cases where they didn't follow their permit timing. For example, when they are supposed to enter on Saturday, they go on Sunday and didn't inform us. So we didn't know what was going on.

       "Therefore, we are going to review our standard operating procedures (SOP) that may help us to avoid similar incidents from happening again," he said, adding the recreation sites will be closed until further notice.