Saarani says the Forestry Department will conduct comprehensive accident and disaster risk studies at hiking trails in Perak.
The Perak state government is introducing stricter monitoring and new protective measures for hikers to improve safety at popular hiking spots, says Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad
The Perak Mentri Besar said the initiative came as the Forestry Department ramped up risk assessments, enforcement and disaster-prevention efforts to better protect trekkers entering forest reserves under state’s jurisdiction.
Saarani said the department would conduct comprehensive accident and disaster risk studies across hiking sites statewide.
“The aim is to identify high-risk zones and develop preventive measures, including the possibility of introducing real-time monitoring systems at locations with a higher risk of accidents.
“As an added safeguard, the department is conducting capacity studies for high-traffic hiking areas in Perak,” he said during the state assembly sitting at Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan in Ipoh.
Saarani was responding to a question on what additional safety steps the state was taking after a recent fatal incident at Gunung Liang.
On Oct 16, a missing hiker at Gunung Liang near Tanjung Malim was found dead after a two-day search.
The victim, Mustaqqeem Mansoor, 34, had begun his hike on Oct 10 with 10 companions from Fraser’s Hill, Pahang, and was last seen on Oct 14 at the summit of Gunung Liang Barat, walking slowly from a suspected leg injury.
On the capacity studies, Saarani said they had already been completed for the Kinta, Manjung and Southern Perak forest districts.
Two more, in Hulu Perak and Kuala Kangsar, are ongoing, while the Larut and Matang study is scheduled for 2026.
“These studies will help determine the maximum number of hikers allowed at any one time to maintain safe, controlled and sustainable hiking activities.
“Enforcement has also been strengthened with a mandatory requirement for certified mountain guides for hikes above 500m, along with a hiking SOP approved in 2023 and enforced from June 1 last year.
“As the recent fatal case involved a transboundary route, the department will also coordinate with authorities in Kedah, Kelantan and Pahang to refine conditions for cross-state hikes,” he said.
There are currently 55 recognised hiking routes within the state’s permanent forest reserves. All hikers must obtain an online entry permit to allow systematic monitoring of visitor numbers.
Investigations into the Gunung Liang incident are ongoing, with 11 individuals probed for entering the forest reserve without a permit, said Saarani.
