KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) has reported a high number of vehicles on the main route to the east coast despite the enforcement of movement control orders (MCOs) in the city.
Its spokesman said the number of vehicles has been increasing since as early as 8am today, causing congestion, especially in the area before the Bentong toll plaza.
This may be due to the rising number of road users and strict inspection conducted by police at a roadblock mounted at the toll plaza, the spokesman added.
LLM has uploaded a photo showing vehicles stuck in a traffic jam along the road on its official Facebook page.
Kelantan police chief Datuk Shafien Mamat confirmed that there is a surge of vehicle movements into the state since yesterday, adding that this involves three main entry points – Gua Musang, Pasir Puteh, and Jeli.
A total of 75 vehicles have been forced to turn back for not having interstate travel permits throughout the implementation of roadblocks at the state’s entry points, he said, adding that police will mount five more roadblocks in the state.
Kelantan has been placed under a movement control order from April 16 to May 17.
Bentong police chief Zaiham Mohd Kahar said the roadblock mounted at the toll plaza is to ensure road users have complete interstate travel documents and comply with MCO rules.
He said police personnel manning the roadblock have to conduct a thorough inspection to ensure the information in the document matches the passenger of each vehicle, causing traffic to build up.
The majority of road users passing the roadblock are parents fetching their children from higher learning institutions or hostels, as well as long-distance spouses and employees of companies allowed to operate by the International Trade and Industry Ministry, he added.
“Since this morning, no compound has been issued, and all drivers have been able to submit valid documents.”
LLM said traffic is smooth along all southbound and northbound major routes. – Bernama, May 8, 2021
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