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HEAVY traffic has gripped major highways across Malaysia as the evening balik kampung rush gathers pace ahead of the Aidilfitri celebrations, with accidents and wet weather further exacerbating delays.
According to the Malaysian Highway Authority, traffic volume began rising sharply from about 4.45pm, signalling the start of peak travel as motorists head to their hometowns.
On the North-South Expressway, several incidents have led to significant slowdowns. A crash at KM249.2 between Senawang and Pedas Linggi around 5.00pm caused traffic to move slowly, while a separate accident at KM180.4 between Jasin and Tangkak at 6.15pm blocked the right lane, resulting in a three-kilometre crawl.
Further north, an accident at KM270.3 between Ipoh South and Simpang Pulai forced the closure of the left and emergency lanes, adding to congestion along the route.
Motorists have also been urged to exercise caution near Tapah and Gopeng following reports of rain, which has increased the risk of hazardous driving conditions.
Traffic is building steadily along key stretches in the Klang Valley, particularly on routes from Bukit Lanjan to Rawang and from Universiti Putra Malaysia to Kajang.
Elsewhere, delays are being reported on the Kuala Lumpur–Karak Expressway, especially between the Gombak Toll and Lentang, affecting those travelling to the East Coast.
Urban highways, including the Damansara–Puchong Expressway, SPRINT Expressway and ELITE Expressway, are experiencing typical peak-hour bottlenecks, while cross-border traffic at the Johor–Singapore Causeway remains slow in both directions.
Authorities have advised motorists to plan their journeys carefully, remain patient, and prioritise safety as traffic volumes are expected to remain high throughout the festive travel period. - March 19, 2026
