[UPDATED] Balik kampung rush begins as Aidiladha approaches

KUALA LUMPUR – The balik kampung traffic along major highways in the peninsula is building up as Malaysians head back to their hometowns to usher Hari Raya Aidiladha tomorrow.

According to the Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA), traffic has been slow-moving along the North-South Expressway (NSE) heading north to Ipoh as well as south towards Seremban since this morning.

There have been reports of the breakdown of at least two heavy vehicles between Ipoh and Kuala Kangsar on the NSE.

In addition, heavy traffic is reported at the Gombak, Sg Besi, Jalan Duta, Sg Dua (Penang) and Karak toll plazas.

There is a 5.3km stretch of slow-moving traffic from Lancang to Temerloh, Pahang, while the route between the Rawang R&R and Sg Buaya is congested.

Heading south, traffic is slow from Putra Mahkota to Seremban R&R, Senawang to Pedas Linggi, and Bukit Gambir to Pagoh.

Reports of congestion also point to Bandar Serenia-Nilai on the Elite Highway as well as on the Second Link after Tuas, Singapore heading to Johor’s Sultan Abu Bakar Complex.

MHA was quoted as saying by Bernama that the increase of vehicles on highways started at 6am and is expected to only abate by midnight.

Rela personnel and auxiliary police are stationed at hotspots to provide assistance to road users as well as monitor traffic along highways.

Earlier this week, highway concessionaire PLUS advised road users heading to Perlis, Kedah, Penang, northern Perak and Johor from Klang Valley between July 7 and 10 to start their drive before 10am.

It also advised those heading into Klang Valley on July 10 to 12 to enter the highways before 9am.

The concessionaire added that if road users do not follow the advisory, their journey is expected to be twice as long.

Meanwhile, road users have been sharing photos of heavy traffic since last night as some had left the cities for their kampung after work.

For the last two years, Hari Raya Aidiladha celebrations have been hampered by Covid-19 travel and health restrictions. – The Vibes, July 9, 2022