Malaysia cracks down on social media hiking trend after jump in numbers needing rescue

Malaysia is tightening its hiking rules nationwide as a surge in social media-driven trends leads to an increasing number of adventurers requiring rescue.

In the first five months of 2026, Malaysia recorded 52 cases of lost hikers, a nearly 30% increase from the same period last year, according to the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department. Experts note that many hikers carry minimal gear to emulate professional trail runners on social media, sometimes neglecting safety for the sake of capturing "interesting content."

Trends like "compressed hikes," which shorten demanding treks into single days or combine ascents and descents normally spread over longer periods, have gained popularity. The practice of "bagging peaks," aiming to summit as many mountains as possible, has also been criticized for fostering an achievement-based relationship with nature.

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There are hikers who focus more on getting interesting content that they are willing to take risks and neglect their own safety.

To address these risks, the government is making guides mandatory in 189 high-risk locations and strengthening pre-climb screening. Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Syed Ibrahim Syed Noy announced that bans on certain compressed hikes are now in effect in high-risk mountainous areas. The government also plans to enhance screening by requiring health declarations, medical history checks, and insurance coverage.

"The government's priority is to reduce the risk of hikers getting lost and prevent accidents, thereby minimising the need for SAR [Search and Rescue] operations, which require substantial financial resources and manpower," Syed Ibrahim stated. While enforcement details vary, some states have already stopped approving compressed hiking applications or implemented minimum climbing periods for specific routes.

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The government’s priority is to reduce the risk of hikers getting lost and prevent accidents, thereby minimising the need for SAR [Search and Rescue] operations, which require substantial financial resources and manpower.