THE Kelab Explorasi Altitud (ATC) will form a search and rescue (SAR) team next year to continue its efforts in locating Malaysian climber Muhammad Hawari Hashim.
A physically challenged climber, Muhammad Hawari, 33, an employee of the Penang State Museum for over 10 years, was reported missing on May 19 while making his descent from the summit of Mount Everest.
ATC club is in charge of the Malaysia Everest 2023 (ME2023) programme, in which Muhammad Hawari, who hails from Penang, is one of the participants.
It is learnt that Mount Everest has been officially closed on May 29, ending the season for this year.
Mission head Azim Afif Ishak said the SAR team will start the operation as soon as Mount Everest is reopened.
“We will start the operation from early of the season (April) until the end of the season (June).
“We will also hire six sherpas (mountain guides) who will be actively involved in the SAR operation.
“Next year’s operation will focus on the upper side of Mount Everest, known as the ‘death zone’ (Camp 4 and above) as this year’s operation concentrated on Camp 3 and below,” Azim told Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow during a courtesy visit to his office in Komtar this evening.
Also present were State Museum and Art Gallery director Haryany Mohamad, ME2023 chef de mission Tan Sri Dr Salleh Mohd Nor and ME2023 team manager Ayu Wanirah Naharuddin.
Azim added that as of now, Muhammad Hawari’s status is categorised as a ‘missing person’ by the Nepal government.
“Thus, we need to do our best in the SAR operation next year that will be participated by myself as well.
“We need to find his body or at least any traces of him like shoe, jacket, equipment or anything.
“Because if we don’t, then, we cannot get a death certificate. This, in turn, will affect the pension and other benefits deserved by Muhammad Hawari’s wife and kids,” he said, adding that the remaining fund from the state and Federal government will be used to fund the SAR operation next year.
Previously, the Federal Government and the Penang government allocated RM1.48 million and RM500,000 respectively for SAR efforts to find Muhammad Hawari.
Azim also expressed his gratitude and appreciation to Chow for the quick action taken by the state government in providing all the support and financial assistance.
Chow expressed his hope that the SAR operation next year will be successful in finding Muhammad Hawari.
“Let us know if you need help in anything as the state government is ready to assist in any way that is possible,” he said.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud