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KLANG Valley residents are losing more than 500 hours a year — the equivalent of over two hours daily — stuck in traffic, a toll not only on individual well-being but also on the national economy, a transport academic has warned.
Dr Ahmad Nazrul Hakimi Ibrahim, senior lecturer at the Department of Civil Engineering, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), said congestion in the capital and surrounding areas is now “extraordinary”, and requires far more than just building new highways.
“A Klang Valley commuter wastes, on average, over 500 hours annually in traffic. That’s about two hours and 15 minutes each day. Many don’t realise the cumulative loss is not just personal but also economic,” he said.
He added that heavily congested routes such as the Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2), Jalan Sungai Besi, Jalan Kuching, Jalan Klang Lama and the Duta–Ulu Kelang Expressway (DUKE) have become daily bottlenecks, particularly during peak hours.
“Most measures so far have been mere band-aid solutions. New roads may temporarily ease congestion but often lead to induced demand — attracting more local traffic and returning the roads to saturation,” he said.
Dr Ahmad Nazrul advocated a systemic approach: balanced urban planning, more efficient public transport, reliable feeder systems (including shuttle buses and vans), and safe pedestrian and micromobility infrastructure.
He emphasised the importance of resolving “first mile and last mile” challenges to improve uptake of public transport. Without seamless connectivity from homes to stations, commuters are less likely to abandon private vehicles.
“Solving this issue requires a whole-of-society effort — effective policies from authorities, quality service from transport providers, and public willingness to embrace sustainable mobility,” he said.
Among the longer-term strategies he supports is the institutionalisation of flexible work policies, including remote working arrangements.
“Work-from-home policies, or what I would prefer to call ‘remote working’, can significantly ease peak-hour congestion while improving productivity in many sectors,” he said.
Citing research from the US-based National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), Dr Ahmad Nazrul noted that Malaysian workers could save up to 69 minutes of travel time daily by working remotely.
“Personally, remote work enables me to focus better on tasks and cuts commuting time. If implemented widely, it can ease pressure on the road network,” he added.
Commenting on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s recent push to accelerate road infrastructure projects despite high costs, Dr Ahmad Nazrul acknowledged the intent as positive.
“We must view this as a sign that the country’s top leadership is paying attention to the suffering of urban commuters. It shows political will to tackle congestion,” he said.
Speaking at the launch of the East Klang Valley Expressway (EKVE) in Ampang on Friday, Anwar said road projects — particularly in the Klang Valley — must be expedited due to “severe and growing” congestion in the capital’s arterial routes.
The prime minister reiterated his administration’s commitment to infrastructure development, even if it involves significant financial outlay, calling it a necessary intervention to ease the daily burden on the rakyat. - Sept 1, 2025