How will new controls reduce costly search and rescue operations?

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New hiking controls are designed to cut costly search and rescue operations by preventing incidents before they happen in high-risk areas.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability is tightening rules on hiking nationwide, including restricting “day hikes” or “compressed hikes” in high-risk mountainous areas, to reduce accidents and the need for costly search and rescue (SAR) operations. Its deputy minister, Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh, said the government’s priority is to lower the risk of hikers getting lost and preventing accidents, which in turn reduces the SAR manpower and financial resources needed.
Restrictions target high-risk “day” and “compressed” hiking activities
The controls include limiting “day hikes” or “compressed hikes” in high-risk mountainous areas, where the risk of emergencies and hikers getting lost is higher. The Perak Forestry Department has already banned “compressed hike” activities in high-risk areas, and the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) has implemented similar restrictions at ecotourism sites under its jurisdiction.
Stronger pre-climb screening reduces the chance of emergencies and medical incidents
The government is strengthening pre-climb screening by requiring health declarations, medical history checks, and insurance coverage before climbers begin activities. It is also proposing screening for symptoms of High Altitude Illness (HAI) and Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), particularly for climbers attempting Mount Kinabalu in Sabah and Mount Tahan in Pahang, with high-risk climbers to be identified early before being allowed to climb.
Mandatory Forestry Mountain Guides improve compliance and emergency response
Forestry Mountain Guides (MGP) services have been made mandatory at 189 high-risk hiking locations nationwide. Syed Ibrahim said certified MGPs help ensure climber safety, respond to emergencies, and promote compliance with proper hiking practices, and that 2,322 individuals from local communities, including the Orang Asli, have been certified through the MGP Skills Development Programme.
Technology such as GIS management and GPS trials supports faster location tracking
The ministry is developing technology-based solutions including a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based hiking trail management system and remote sensing capabilities in collaboration with the Malaysian Space Agency. Trials are also being conducted using GPS tracking devices for climbers, which supports monitoring and tracking efforts during hikes in a way that can reduce the scale and cost of SAR needs when incidents occur.

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How will new controls reduce costly search and rescue operations?

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