Many are taking the opportunity of free toll on the North-South Expressway and the East Coast Expressway (LPT) from midnight last night until tomorrow, to return home after the Aidilfitri holidays.
A spokesman for the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) said as of noon today, traffic flow on the North-South Expressway towards the Klang Valley was congested from Sungai Petani Selatan to Bertam; Permatang Pauh to Perai and from Juru to Bandar Cassia.
“There is also congestion for a 10km from Changkat Jering to Kuala Kangsar and slow-moving traffic from Bukit Merah to Taiping; Sungai Perak to Menora Tunnel; Ipoh to Simpang Pulai, Gua Tempurung to Tapah; Tapah rest and service (R&R) area to Bidor; Ladang Bikam to Sungkai and Bukit Beruntung heading to Rawang,” he said when contacted by Bernama.
He added that the traffic flow from the east coast saw congestion in Karak heading towards Bukit Tinggi.
For those travelling from the south, there was slow-moving traffic from Skudai to Kulai, Yong Peng to Pagoh and from the Senawang R&R area to Port Dickson.
“The outbound traffic from the Klang Valley on the main highways is under control,” the spokesman said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has advised motorists to get sufficient rest before embarking on their trips home after spending the Aidilfitri holidays.
He said many people had already started their journey to return to work on Monday, leading to congestion on many major highways since yesterday.
“I hope everyone will drive carefully and not force themselves. If you are tired or feel sleepy, stop for a rest before continuing your journey to ensure the safety of the family.
“There is no need to rush and to me, we should practise self-discipline while driving,” he told reporters at the Bera parliamentary constituency Aidilfitri open house at Laman Kerayong here today.
Ismail, who is Bera MP, said he believed the relevant authorities like the transport ministry, works ministry, Malaysian Highway Authority and highway operators have long-term plans to overcome the frequent problem of traffic congestion during festival times.
Traffic flow started building up a couple of days before Hari Raya on Monday as people took advantage of the weekend and public holidays to go back to their hometowns to celebrate, after being unable to do so the past two years because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Workers’ Day and Aidilfitri public holidays prompted many to take leave and extend their stay back in their hometowns until tomorrow.