KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 — The family of Gareth David Huntley who went missing after trekking in a jungle on Tioman Island, Pahang, last Tuesday are pleading for Malaysian authorities to expand the search for the British national.

Huntley’s mother, Janet Southwell, told the London Evening Standard that she has yet to receive any official response on her request for a search party to be deployed.

“I am extremely concerned and anxious about my son.

“He has been missing for four days now, and as yet I have had no contact from any official agency advising me as to the progress of the search,” Southwell was quoted as saying.

The 34-year-old Huntley was said to have been doing volunteering work at the Juara Turtle Project in Kampung Juara, Pulau Tioman.

He was believed to have gone trekking by himself to the Lubuk Teja Waterfalls at about noon.

Fearing that her son’s chances of surviving may be dimming, Southwell said it was crucial that both the Malaysian and British authorities step up search efforts.

“At this stage I feel it is essential that the search be intensified as time is running out for Gareth, so I would really appreciate the support of the Malaysian authorities and the UK government with this.”

Separately, local English daily The Star reported that the police have already deployed a search team.

Rompin OCPD Deputy Supt Johari Jahaya was quoted as saying that a canine unit and the General Operations Force were deployed to look for Huntley but there was still no sign of the man.

“We are also getting help from the locals to look for him.

“However, if we cannot find him after so many days, what else can we do?” Johari was reported to have said when asked whether the search would be continued.

Fellow volunteer at the Juara Turtle Project Charles Fisher said a group went to search for Huntely after he did not return from a trek to a waterfall six kilometres away.

Fisher claimed that Malaysian police were lackadaisical in searching for Huntley.

A Facebook group has been set up to raise awareness about Mr Huntley’s disappearance.

The Find Gareth Huntley’s page administrator said it was trying to reach out to social media users with pictures and information in the hope that anyone who was traveling in the area might have seen Huntley or could help look for him.