[PHOTOS] City folk back to braving Raya traffic to ‘balik kampung’
KUALA LUMPUR – Major highways along the peninsula have been choked up by tens of thousands of cars over the past few days, as many Malaysians make their first trip in two years back to their home villages to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
The annual Muslim celebration had been muted over the past two years, when the country - as with the rest of the world - grappled with runaway infections of the Covid-19 pandemic.
But with the gross majority of Malaysians fully vaccinated and given booster doses, the government decided it was time to allow people to gradually return to normalcy and celebrate Aidilfitri with family and friends.
The only problem is that the traditional Hari Raya exodus from the capital city of Kuala Lumpur appears to have come back with a vengeance, with many commuters complaining of traffic jams spanning more than 10km and their trips back home taking up to twice as long compared to the last time they went back before the pandemic hit.
Despite the grumblings, Malaysians remain grateful that they can “balik kampung” to celebrate a meaningful Aidilfitri this year.
Documenting the return of the Raya exodus is The Vibes photographer, ABD RAZAK LATIF. – The Vibes, May 2, 2022
The government’s two-day toll-free rides and toll discounts has drawn many to travel back to their hometowns, increasing the number of vehicles on all major highways. – ABD RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, May 2, 2022
Thumbs up from a happy traveller, enjoying the toll-free ride as he makes his way back home, eager to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri. – ABD RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, May 2, 2022
An aerial shot of the LPT1 Highway sees tens of thousands of vehicles, even past midnight last Sunday, just to take advantage of the two-day toll-free rides and toll discounts. – ABD RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, May 2, 2022
Traffic flow on the North-South Highway heading north was no different with thousands of travellers thronging the road after midnight on Sunday. – ABD RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, May 2, 2022
A bottleneck after the Gombak Tol Plaza heading to Lentang causes a traffic jam spanning more than 30km, with many complaining that their journey back home took twice as long compared to before the pandemic. – ABD RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, May 2, 2022
Millions of Malaysians making their first trip back for home for Hari Raya on the last couple of nights leading up to Hari Raya, waiting for hours on the North-South Expressway. – ABD RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, May 2, 2022
Despite complaints of horrendous traffic situations throughout the country, Malaysians remain grateful that they can balik kampung to celebrate a meaningful Aidilfitri this year. – ABD RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, May 2, 2022
With the government's toll-free rides and toll discounts applicable for next weekend as well, massive traffic jams are expected as city folk travel back into the capital after celebrating Hari Raya. – ABD RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, May 2, 2022
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