Hiking Accidents in Malaysia Claim 63 Lives Over Five Years

In Malaysia, hiking trips have turned deadly far too often. From 2021 to 2025, there were 1,059 hiking accidents across the country. Those accidents left 87 people injured and 63 people dead. Malaysia's Parliament heard these numbers on June 23, when a government minister answered questions about trail safety.

Deputy Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh shared the figures during a session called Question Time. He was responding to a question from Member of Parliament Mohd Isam Mohd Isa, who represents the area of Tampin. Mohd Isam asked how many accidents and deaths had been caused by hiking over the past five years. He also asked whether the government planned to create a national safety standard for all hiking trails.

Syed Ibrahim said the government takes trail safety very seriously. The Ministry works through two departments — the Peninsular Malaysia Forestry Department and the Department of Wildlife and National Parks. Together, they oversee safety rules for forest hiking and climbing activities throughout the country.

To help manage risks on trails, the forestry department worked with the United Nations Development Programme to create a set of national guidelines. The guidelines are called MoGRAM, which stands for Mountain Risk Assessment and Management. MoGRAM helps experts figure out how dangerous a trail is and how many hikers it can safely handle at one time.

The government has also made it a rule for trained mountain guides to be present at 189 high-risk hiking areas. So far, 2,322 people from local communities — including members of the orang asli, Malaysia's indigenous people — have been trained and certified as guides. These guides help hikers navigate trails, respond to emergencies, and follow safe hiking practices.

In areas protected by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Malaysia follows an international safety standard called ISO 21101. This standard is used for adventure tourism around the world. It sets rules for managing risks, training staff, handling emergencies, and keeping equipment in good shape.

Hikers in these areas must now register and get an entry permit before they set out. They are also required to pass an early health check and get a medical certificate showing they are fit enough for the trail they plan to hike. Safety briefings are mandatory, and trails can be temporarily closed during the monsoon season when conditions become especially dangerous.

The government also works with the police, rescue teams, the Department of Standards Malaysia, and tourism businesses to keep trails safe. These partnerships help make sure that rules are followed and that help can arrive quickly when something goes wrong.

The issue of hiking safety came back into public attention after two recent tragedies. Jaslinda Saludin, 49, went missing at Gunung Batu Putih in Tapah on May 23 and was found alive after nearly 14 days surviving alone in the jungle. Nur Izzati Humaira Azizul, 19, also went missing on May 23 while coming down Bukit Changkat Asa in Hulu Bernam, Selangor. Sadly, her body was found by search teams four days later.