KOTA BARU: Having a lot of experience and skills of being a former Senoi Praaq member is an advantage for Kassim Malu who became a popular malim gunung (mountain guide) in Kelantan.
The 63-year-old from Kampung Menrod, Gua Musang, have trained nearly 30 Orang Asli people since 1987.
"I joined the Senoi Praaq team from 1978 to 1986 and have entered many forests in the country.
"My team was involved in various tough operations as we were famed for our tracking and survival skills.
"My years of experience in the forest and fighting skills made it easy for me to become a malim gunung and teach the Orang Asli people to be like me," said Kassim who is from the Temiar tribe.
Besides teaching the Orang Asli on how to survive, the father of seven children said he also guided them on the usage of several types of weapon while in the forest.
"This is important because to be a good malim gunung, they need to have all the skills, so that they can survive in whatever the situation they are in (in the jungle).
"I have told them not to fear any danger that they might face and always bear in mind they can handle it with confidence, " he added.
Kassim, who is also a member of Orang Temiar Adventure Team, normally guide his students in several mountains in Gua Musang and also in other neighbouring states.
"The mountains includes Gunung Irau and Gunung Tahan, both in Pahang and Gunung Gerah (Perak-Kelantan border)," he said.
Asked whether he would continue the activity during the monsoon season, Kassim said it would depend on the situation.
"If the rainy season poses a risk, I will not conduct the training. But if the situation is safe, I will resume the training," he added.