Malaysia introduces tougher rules for hikers after rise in rescues

Malaysia is introducing tougher regulations for hikers following a surge in search and rescue (SAR) operations, with authorities blaming social media trends for encouraging more people to tackle challenging trails without adequate preparation – sound familiar?!

Under the new measures, guides will become mandatory at 189 high-risk hiking locations across the country. Authorities are also introducing pre-climb screening procedures to assess whether walkers are suitably prepared before setting out, according to state news agency Bernama.

Hiking has grown rapidly in popularity in Malaysia, where almost half the country’s landmass is covered by dense tropical rainforest. While the scenery is spectacular, the combination of high temperatures, oppressive humidity and thick vegetation can make navigation difficult, particularly for inexperienced hikers who stray from marked tracks.

Among the country’s best-known walks are the climb to the 4,095m summit of Mount Kinabalu in Borneo and the multi-day jungle trek through Gunung Tahan National Park to 2,187m Mount Tahan, the highest peak in Peninsular Malaysia.

The new regulations have been introduced by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) in an effort to reduce accidents and ease the growing burden on emergency services.

Deputy Minister Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said many incidents involve hikers attempting unauthorised routes or venturing into remote areas without sufficient planning or experience.

“The government’s priority is to reduce the risk of hikers getting lost and prevent accidents, thereby minimising the need for SAR operations, which require substantial financial resources and manpower,” he said.

He added that the measures are intended to prevent emergencies before they occur by reducing the risks associated with fatigue, disorientation and poor preparation.