hiking

Malaysia is implementing stricter regulations on hiking activities, particularly targeting high-risk routes. This crackdown follows a significant rise in rescue incidents, with a nearly 30% increase in lost hiker cases reported in the first five months of 2026 compared to the previous year. Officials attribute this surge to a growing social media trend encouraging more people to hike, often with inadequate preparation and on unauthorized trails. The trend also includes "compressed hikes," where individuals attempt difficult routes in a single day. The government's response aims to mitigate the growing burden on rescue services and address the safety risks associated with poorly planned or overly ambitious hiking expeditions driven by online popularity.