Malaysia cracks down on social media hiking trend after jump in numbers needing rescue
Malaysia is implementing stricter hiking regulations, including mandatory guides and bans on 'compressed hikes,' following a 30% increase in rescue operations. Officials attribute the rise in emergencies to social media trends that encourage hikers to prioritize content creation over safety.
Why it matters
This reflects a growing global tension between social media-driven tourism and the practical safety requirements of remote outdoor environments.
File photo of a hiker crossing a rope bridge in Borneo. Malaysia is cracking down on a social media-driven hiking trend. File photo of a hiker crossing a rope bridge in Borneo. Malaysia is cracking down on a social media-driven hiking trend. Malaysia Malaysia cracks down on social media hiking trend after jump in numbers needing rescue Officials are banning some ‘compressed hikes’ which involve walkers tackling demanding routes in short timeframes
Prefer the Guardian on Google Malaysia’s government is tightening hiking rules nationwide after a social media trend left increasing numbers of adventurers needing to be rescued when they became lost or stranded in remote locations.
In the first five months of 2026, Malaysia saw 52 cases of lost hikers, an increase of nearly 30% compared with the same period the previous year, the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department told local media.
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