SHAH ALAM, June 13 — The Selangor Forestry Department (JPNS) has denied claims that all hiking activities in the state have been suspended.
Its Recreation Forest, Eco Park and State Park Section assistant chief officer Abdul Nasir Ismail said the confusion arose following the issuance of a temporary suspension notice for “trans hiking” and “compressed hiking” activities due to safety risks.
He explained that trans hiking refers to hikes involving more than one mountain and, at times, crossing state borders.
Meanwhile, compressed hiking refers to hikes that take more than one day but are completed within a single day.
"Other hiking activities are still allowed as usual, and hikers only need to obtain a permit if the location falls under JPNS jurisdiction.
“We are only temporarily suspending trans hiking and compressed hiking activities following an incident involving a hiker, Jaslinda, recently as a safety measure until a new decision is announced,” he said when contacted by Media Selangor.
Nasir said this was the first time JPNS had implemented such a measure, as hiking activity suspensions were previously only enforced during the year-end monsoon season.
He said both activities were previously banned but were later given permission due to increasing demand among hiking enthusiasts.
However, he said JPNS found that most reported accidents and cases of missing hikers involved trans and compressed hiking activities.
“While these activities are increasingly popular, safety must be prioritised,” he said.
