Johor Dad Took Kids Hiking To Reduce Screen Time. Their Latest 10-Day Trip Sparked Search & Rescue

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A father from Johor who took up long-distance hiking to keep his children away from their mobile phones ended up spending 10 days in the jungle with his family after their latest trip took much longer than planned

Wan Ahmad Aslam Wan Zairudin, a 39-year-old project manager from Yong Peng, Johor, was hiking with his wife, Siti Zulaiha Norizan, 39, their children Diya Raisha, 13, and Ahmad Raef, 9.

The family was accompanied by two mountain guides, Shafiee Sidek, 49, and Hazman Mamat, 43, when the group was reported missing.

The six were eventually found safe on 7 September after completing the Trans GBB expedition, which crosses Gunung Gerah, Gunung Bilah, and Gunung Bieh through the Titiwangsa mountain range.

The expedition was originally scheduled to take place from 29 August to 3 September, but the group did not emerge as planned.

Their families lost contact with them after 1 September and filed a police report on 6 September, according to Sinar Harian.

Wan Ahmad Aslam later clarified that the group had not actually become lost.

Instead, difficult conditions on the route meant they progressed far more slowly than expected, turning what was supposed to be a multi-day expedition into a 10-day trek, the New Straits Times reported.

Wan Ahmad Aslam said he turned to hiking after noticing that his children were becoming too dependent on their mobile phones and gadgets

He had previously tried activities such as badminton and swimming to keep them occupied, but said those activities only kept them away from their phones for an hour or two.

"The problem was that they had started becoming addicted to mobile phones, so I looked for ways to prevent them from spending too much time on their phones," the New Straits Times quoted him as saying.

"I tried all sorts of things, including badminton and swimming, but those activities only lasted one or two hours. So, I tried hiking."

What began with half-day hikes eventually progressed into family expeditions lasting four, five, and six days. Their previous longest expedition lasted eight days.

The family has been actively hiking together for about two years, although Wan Ahmad Aslam said he had been taking his children on outdoor trips since they were young.

"I have taken them along since they were in a stroller, but they only became really active about two years ago. As far as I can remember, this is our eighth Trans expedition as a family," he said.

He said children could be physically more resilient than adults during such trips, but their mental state still had to be managed.

"We just need to manage their mental state, make sure they are happy, and enjoy the journey," he added.

Their latest hike took 10 days instead of five

The family set out from Pos Dakoh in Gua Musang, Kelantan, on 29 August for the Trans GBB route before reaching Pos Kemar in Perak. They were expected to complete the expedition and emerge at Pos Kemar on 3 September.

However, the group found itself moving at a fraction of its planned pace.

Wan Ahmad Aslam said they had initially expected to cover between 8 and 10km a day but ended up managing only around 2 to 3km daily due to the obstacles along the route. The slower progress eventually forced them to consider whether to turn back or continue.

The group ultimately decided to look for a water source and cut across the original trail. By the time they were found, the expedition had stretched to 10 days.

The family was reported missing, but the father said they were never lost

The group's failure to emerge on schedule and the loss of communication prompted their worried families to contact the authorities.

Wan Ahmad Aslam, however, said the situation inside the jungle was under control and that the group knew where it was throughout the expedition.

"Actually, we were in control while in the jungle. We knew where we were, how much food we had, and that none of us was injured. We were not lost. We were just worried that our families would lodge a police report, which eventually happened," he said.

He said their supplies were also sufficient despite the extended journey.

"I can say that we still had food until the 10th day. The mountain guides, knowing that I was bringing my children, also brought additional supplies for our family," he said.

On the final day, he said the family still had Power Gel, Hydro Gel, and oral rehydration salts (ORS), as well as rice.

The group was eventually found safe at Kem Kulim on 7 September and brought out of the forest through the Trojan Temengor base before being handed over to their respective family members.

For Wan Ahmad Aslam, the expedition was the latest and longest chapter in an unusual family strategy that began with a simple goal: getting his children to put down their phones and spend more time outdoors.