'Last climb' ends in tragedy for Malaysian at Indonesia's Mount Rinjani
KUALA LUMPUR: Before leaving for Indonesia last week, 57-year-old Rennie Abdul Ghani told his family that his trip to climb Mount Rinjani in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, would be his final climb.
Little did they know that conversation would be their last after Rennie tragically fell from a steep trekking route yesterday.
His sister, who only wished to be known as Yana, said her late brother had departed for Indonesia on April 30 to join a hiking expedition involving 23 climbers, organised by a local trekking agency.
He was scheduled to return to Malaysia today after completing the climb. However, the family received devastating news at 8pm yesterday (local time) that he had died during the descent.
"The last time we gathered was during Aidilfitri, and my brother said this would be the last mountain he wanted to climb.
"After that, he planned to focus on marathons. He used to participate in them regularly," she said.
Yana added that the family, especially Rennie's wife, was heartbroken by the sudden loss.
Rennie, an engineer with an oil and gas company based in Seri Alam, Johor, was remembered by his sister as caring, humorous, and disciplined.
"He loved challenges and was known for his reliability and punctuality," she said.
Yana also said that Rennie's eldest child is currently in Indonesia to assist in managing the remains.
As of this morning, Yana said the body remained at the site due to the difficult terrain.
"A helicopter cannot access the area because of the extremely steep slopes.
"The rescue team is attempting to retrieve the body manually, on foot.
"This process is expected to take about a day, given how challenging the route is," she said.
It was reported yesterday that Rennie had fallen along the Torean trail of the mountain at around noon local time.
A search and rescue operation involving dozens of personnel from the Mataram National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), medical teams, and the East Lombok Search and Rescue unit is underway.
"The victim remains at the scene and is being assisted by the group leader along with three members of the climbing team," Mount Rinjani National Park said in a statement on Saturday.
Park authorities identified the climber as 'RAG', who was reported to have fallen in the Banyu Urip area by a guide from Juan Adventure Rinjani, the trekking agency.
The group had begun their climb via the Sembalun trail on May 1, accompanied by 23 climbers.
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