Scientific sophistication and supernatural spells have been thrown in equal measure into the Sarawak government's vigorous search for the missing Bell 206 Long Range helicopter, but to no avail to date.

Family and friends are still clinging to hope for the survival of the seven on board - Sarawak Assistant Minister Dr Judson Sakai Tagal, Padawan municipal council chairperson Lawrence Th'ng, Sarawak Electricity Supply Corporation (Sesco) chief executive Roger Wong, Sesco engineers Jason Ng and Ling Tian Ho, contractor Marcus Raja and the pilot Kapt Samsuddin Hashim.

The chopper disappeared from Malaysian radar shortly after taking off from Bario airport for the 17-minute flight to Ba' Kelalan on July 12.

Last Friday, as it observed its 50th anniversary, Radio Sarawak slotted in a special programme on which shaman (mediums) were invited to offer their expertise to locate the helicopter.

Indigenous peoples believe that the thick jungle is the dwelling place of supernatural beings that can conceal things from the naked human eye.

Apart from local shaman, four others have been specially flown in from Peninsular Malaysia to Bario to assist the search operations.

Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Dr George Chan Hong Nam, who heads the search and rescue mission, gave the green light after the use of highly sophisticated equipment and efforts of experts from USA, Australia and Singapore failed.

Chan said last Saturday that he would have to brief the state cabinet today as to whether the search should be continued or called off. The mission, said to cost more than RM100,000 per day, has become the most expensive mounted to date in Malaysia.

False alarm

A combination of steep terrain, thick jungle and unpredictable weather conditions - including thunderstorms over the past two weeks during what is usually the dry season - have hampered the operations.

The Royal Malaysian Air Force has made available its entire range of sophisticated equipment, while 25 small aircraft and 1,500 people are assisting the operations which are into the 15th day.

The 300km ground search and 1,320 sq km air search have covered Ba' Kelalan, Long Lepung, Gunung Murud, Batu Lawi and even Gunung Aluyah and the border areas of Long Bawang and Long Medang. Indonesian police and army personnel have provided assistance.

There was some excitement on Saturday when a group of Penan on their way to Long Repung claimed to have smelled decomposing flesh in the dense, rugged jungles about four kilometres from Bario.

However, as they moved in that direction, they were deterred by a sudden thunderstorm and heavy rain.

Yesterday, when the operations resumed, a commando special task force from the elite VAT 69 unit was despatched to the scene. The smell was traced to the body of a highly decomposed deer.

Jimmy Teoh is malaysiakini 's Sarawak-based stringer.