JERANTUT: Clad in life jackets, a group of Orang Asli men daringly navigated their boats laden with food supplies through swift-flowing rapids and strong currents along the swollen Sungai Tembeling here yesterday.
The "unsung heroes" were several Kuala Tahan Civil Defence Force (APM) nature lifeguard members who have been tasked to deliver aid to the Orang Asli settlements in the vicinity which had been cut off by floods.
The Batek tribe nature lifeguard members travelled on their 11m long wooden boats to deliver the food supplies to Kampung Teresek, Kampung Tabung, Kampung Dedari and Kampung Yong here.
Jerantut APM officer Captain (PA) Muszaidi Musa said the four Orang Asli villages were inaccessible due to the continuous rain and floods, and the only way to reach them was through Sungai Tembeling.
"The nature lifeguard members are well-trained to handle the boats during rapid currents. There are 44 registered nature lifeguards including 11 Orang Asli members from the Batek tribe.
"The members have been trained to become first responders in case of any emergencies in Kuala Tahan including disasters and they are well-versed with the landscape of the area.
"APM has provided the members with the necessary training on first aid, swimming, handling boats, participating in technical rescue operations and water rescue including when experiencing strong currents," he said.
Muszaidi said the mission to deliver the food aid including rice packets, canned food and cooking oil to the Orang Asli villages here was coordinated with Jerantut Orang Asli Development Department.
The APM nature lifeguard team here was established in June last year and became the first in the country which was setup to ensure the safety of visitors, and villagers at Taman Negara Kuala Tahan.
On Jan 6 last year, three Kuala Tahan APM personnel managed to swim to the river bank after their boat ferrying flood relief aid capsized due to strong water currents along Sungai Tembeling.
