In Malaysia, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) maintain records of individuals who have gone missing in the wilderness. While many search and rescue (SAR) operations successfully resolve within days, several historical and recent cases remain unresolved mysteries or resulted in tragic discoveries.
Unexplained disappearances in Malaysian forests are deeply intertwined with the folklore of the Orang Bunian (the hidden people), a supernatural dimension known as Alam Zara.
The list below outlines prominent unresolved disappearances, notable recent cases that captivated the nation, and statistical data regarding lost hikers in Malaysia.
1. Famous Unresolved Disappearances (Still Missing)
These are high-profile individuals who vanished in Malaysian forests or mountains and, despite massive multi-agency search efforts, have never been found:
- Bruno Manser: The disappearance of Swiss environmentalist and human rights activitist Bruno Manser in the rainforests of Sarawak in May 2000 remains one of the most politically charged and mysterious missing person in Malaysian History.
- Mohamad Ashraf Hassan ("Acap"): Disappeared on March 23, 2019, while participating in the 25km Gopeng Ultra Trail marathon near Bukit Batu Putih, Perak. Despite an intensive 24-day search involving hundreds of rescue personnel, tracking dogs, and local villagers, no trace of him or his gear was ever recovered.
- Muhammad Hawari Hashim: A 33-year-old hearing-impaired Malaysian climber who went missing on May 20, 2023, during an expedition. He vanished shortly after successfully reaching the summit of Mount Everest, and subsequent high-altitude SAR operations yielded no results.
- Official PDRM Missing Persons Registry: The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) Orang Hilang Portal actively maintains records of citizens who remain missing nationwide. While not all are wilderness-related, several historical local cases involve individuals who entered deep forest reserves or mountainous terrains and never returned.
2. High-Profile Recent Incidents (Resolved)
Several major hiking disappearances made national headlines, culminating in either rescues or tragic fatalities:
- Jaslinda Saludin (49): Reported missing on May 24, 2026, after straying from her 14-person trekking group during the Trans Spencer Chapman expedition at Gunung Batu Putih, Perak. After a massive 14-day search involving drones, helicopters, and Orang Asli trackers, she was found safe on June 6, 2026, when she emerged near a river and met local fishermen.
- Nur Izzati Humaira Azizul (18): Went missing on May 23, 2026, after separating from her family to walk ahead while descending Bukit Changkat Asa, Selangor. Following an intense four-day search, her body was found dead just six metres off an unmarked trail leading to an orchard.
- Mustaqqeem Mansoor (34): Lost his way on Gunung Liang Barat at the Perak-Pahang border in October 2025. He fell behind his hiking group after experiencing distress and was found dead from hypothermia near the peak two days later.
- Steven Tan Kim Huat (45): Went missing on March 14, 2023, while hiking alone at Bukit Beruang, Melaka. His body was found dead four days later by a search party in a small stream near an abandoned trail.
- Haniff Harun (47): Swept away by strong currents in January 2023 while crossing Sungai Tanum near Gunung Tahan, Pahang during adverse weather. His body was later recovered 300 metres downstream.
- The 47-Day Pos Tohoi Tragedy (2015) : In August 2015, seven indigenous Orang Asli schoolchildren ran away into the Bertam forest near Gua Musang to avoid punishment. Despite a massive military and police search, they were lost for over six weeks. Shockingly, only two girls, Norieen Yaakob and Miksudiar Aluj, survived by sheltering in tree roots and eating wild berries. The remaining five children tragically succumbed to starvation, despite being less than 2 kilometers from their school.
3. Missing Hiker Statistics in Malaysia
According to official reports from the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), wilderness emergencies have spiked drastically due to a rising interest in outdoor recreational activities among inexperienced participants:
| Time Period [3] | Total Recorded Cases | Total Victims Involved | Status / Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Half of 2026 | 52 cases | 114 people | Represents a ~30% surge compared to the previous year. |
| First Half of 2025 | 40 cases | 88 people | Most victims were successfully located within 24 to 48 hours. |
The majority of these incidents take place in highly accessible fringe-city hills, such as Bukit Kiara Federal Park in Kuala Lumpur and Bukit Broga in Semenyih, where hikers easily lose their way after straying from designated trails.
Other readings:
- Kiran Kreer: Temiar Child Missing for 40 Days in Malaysian Forest
- The Sun : Vanishing trails, Unseen voices and the legend of the Orang Bunian.
- BBC News : The Runaway Children Malaysia failed to save.
- World Rainforest Movement : Malaysia: Good News from Iban Community but no news about Bruno Manser's disappearance in Sarawak.
Hj Zulheimy Maamor
Lembah Keramat,K.L
23 June 2026: 7.05 a.m
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