Malaysian Forestry Mountain Guides Association creates new guidelines to boost hiking safety after recent incidents involving missing and injured hikers.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Forestry Mountain Guides Association (PMGP) is developing a dedicated guideline for mountain guides to strengthen hiking safety following several recent incidents involving missing and injured hikers.
Its president, Azuan Abdullah, said the guideline would incorporate feedback and information from relevant stakeholders to ensure best practices are adopted by mountain guides and 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.
“God willing, 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.
On a proposal to introduce a digital registration or check-in and check-out system for hikers, he said the measure could be considered if communication infrastructure across Permanent Forest Reserve areas is improved.
He noted that limited communication coverage in many forest areas remains a major challenge to the effective implementation of such a system.
“Among the communication tools that can be used are PMR446 (Personal Mobile Radio 446 MHz) walkie-talkies, Citizens Band (CB) radios during hikes, or amateur radio equipment licensed by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
“The installation of radio repeaters at identified peaks could also help connect nearby stations and strengthen communication networks during emergencies,” he said.
Azuan said the expertise of the Orang Asli community could also be utilised in SAR operations to track footprints and identify areas where missing persons may have travelled, although their effectiveness depends 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 is essential to reducing the risk of hikers going missing or being involved in accidents in forest areas.
His comments come amid several recent hiking incidents, including the safe discovery of 49-year-old Jaslinda Saludin near Kampung Lubuk Gaharu, Pos Musoh last Saturday, about two weeks after she went missing 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.
Meanwhile, 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.
