A dedicated guideline for mountain guides is being drawn up following a spate of recent hiking incidents in the country’s dense rainforests.
Malaysian Forestry Mountain Guides Association (PMGP) president Azuan Abdullah said the new guideline would incorporate feedback and information from relevant stakeholders to ensure best practices were adopted by the hiking community.
“My committee and I have only recently assumed our responsibilities.
“We are still reviewing existing reports and guidelines while gathering additional input for the benefit of the hiking community.
“We hope to complete the guideline soon, taking into account information from every state and relevant department.
“We will also consider aspects related to search and rescue (SAR) assistance involving hikers, mountain guides and insurance companies for the benefit of all parties,” he told Bernama.
Azuan said all directives, information and decisions issued by District Forest Offices and state Forestry Departments must be adhered to in order to reduce the risk of untoward incidents.
Commenting on a proposal to introduce a digital check-in and check-out registration system for hikers, he said the measure could be considered if communication infrastructure across permanent forest reserve areas was improved.
He noted that limited communication coverage in many forest areas remained a major challenge to the effective implementation of such a system.
Among the communication tools that could be used, he said, were Personal Mobile Radio 446 MHz (PMR446) walkie-talkies, citizens band (CB) radios during hikes, or amateur radio equipment licensed by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.
“The installation of radio repeaters at identified peaks could also help connect nearby stations and strengthen communication networks during emergencies,” he said.
Azuan added that the expertise of the Orang Asli community could also be used in SAR operations to track footprints and identify areas where missing persons might have travelled, although their effectiveness depended on the situation and coordination with rescue teams.
He also proposed regular SAR simulation exercises involving all relevant agencies to enhance preparedness and strengthen coordination during actual operations.
According to Azuan, a comprehensive approach involving compliance with standard operating procedures (SOPs), improved communication systems, the use of technology and continuous training was essential to reducing the risk of hikers going missing or being injured.
The push for tighter safety protocols comes on the heels of several incidents, including the safe discovery of 49-year-old Jaslinda Saludin near Kampung Lubuk Gaharu, Pos Musoh nearly two weeks after she vanished during the Trans Spencer Chapman expedition on May 23.
In a separate incident, Nur Izzati Humaira Azizul, 19, who went missing while descending Bukit Changkat Asa in Hulu Bernam, Selangor, on May 23, was found dead three days later.
The risks are ever-present; Mustaqqeem Mansoor, 34, died of hypothermia at Gunung Liang Barat, Perak, in October 2025, while the disappearance of Mohammad Ashraf Hassan, better known as Acap, during the Gopeng Ultra Trail race in 2019 remains unsolved.
