Tasmania Police is continuing to work with national and international authorities to investigate the whereabouts of Hobart man Andrew Gaskell who has been reported missing while backpacking in Malaysia.

Mr Gaskell, aged 25, went hiking in Mulu National Park in the Sarawak region on 18 October and is several days overdue from making contact with family and friends.

He indicated to family members that he would be hiking for a week but he may have told others locally that he would be hiking for a shorter period.

He was reported missing to Tasmania Police last week by his family in Tasmania.

Acting Inspector Darren Latham said Tasmania Police was liaising with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Malaysian police to try and establish his whereabouts.

“The area where he was going hiking does not have had good mobile coverage so his family was expecting to have difficulties contacting him,” he said.

“Attempts by his family to make contact with him since Tuesday have been unsuccessful.

“We’re also asking anyone who may have friends backpacking in Malaysia to share our post with them in case any other backpackers have seen him in recent days.”

Acting Inspector Latham also said that the family had indicated that while they appreciated the sentiment of a Go Fund Me page recently established to help the Gaskell family in the search for their loved one, financial assistance was not required at this stage.

“The family appreciate everyone’s help and ask them to continue sharing Tasmania Police’s social media posts particularly anyone who may have friends backpacking in Malaysia.”