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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
World
Natasha May in Bangkok

Malaysia cracks down on social media hiking trend after jump in numbers needing rescue

File photo of a hiker crossing a rope bridge in Borneo.
File photo of a hiker crossing a rope bridge in Borneo. Malaysia is cracking down on a social media-driven hiking trend. Photograph: Emma Wood/Alamy

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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