Kundasang: The Federal Government has been urged to reassess the actual traffic situation along the Tamparuli–Kundasang–Ranau–Lohan corridor, with recent congestion raising questions over whether existing traffic assessments fully reflect conditions on the ground.
Kundasang Tourism and Cultural Association Chairman Datuk Japiril Suhaimin said the Government should not rely solely on average traffic data, particularly when congestion is repeatedly experienced during school holidays, weekends and festive seasons.
His call comes following a statement by Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Maslan that Federal Route 22, linking Kota Kinabalu, Tamparuli, Kundasang and Ranau, was rated Level of Service (LOS) A based on the 2024 traffic census.
Japiril said while he respected the technical assessment, the Government should also consider peak-hour and seasonal traffic patterns which directly affect road users and local communities.
“If Federal Route 22 is truly capable of accommodating traffic as reflected by the assessment, why do Kundasang and Tamparuli town continue to experience congestion whenever school holidays arrive?” he asked.
He said recent congestion in Kundasang and Ranau, coupled with increasing traffic pressure in Tamparuli, demonstrated the need for a more comprehensive assessment of the entire corridor.
The latest traffic conditions have also highlighted congestion along the route from Ranau town towards Kibbas, with motorists experiencing significant delays, particularly during periods of heavy traffic.
As a major tourism destination, Kundasang was particularly affected by traffic congestion, which could have a knock-on effect on hotels, homestays, restaurants, tour operators, transport providers, traders and residents.
“Tourists come to enjoy our destinations, not spend their time sitting in traffic queues,” he said.
Japiril said that traffic management should not focus only on Kundasang but also consider the Ranau–Lohan stretch and other affected sections, which serve as important routes for tourism, agriculture, trade, transportation and daily activities.
He urged the Government to adopt both short- and medium-term measures to ease congestion at critical locations while longer-term infrastructure solutions were being planned.
He also called for Federal Route 22 to be reviewed under the Highway Network Development Plan 2040 (HNDP 2040) if newer traffic data showed increasing pressure along the route.
At the same time, Japiril welcomed the Government’s planned alternative alignments under Phase Two of the Pan Borneo Highway, including Kiulu–Pahu–Tamparuli, Pahu–Randagong–Ranau and Pahu–Tamparuli.
However, he said the public deserved clear information on the status, funding priorities and implementation timelines of the proposed routes.
Among the measures he proposed were an updated traffic study during peak periods, immediate traffic dispersal measures in Tamparuli and Kundasang, a review of Route 22’s priority under HNDP 2040, clear timelines for alternative routes and greater consultation with the Sabah Government, local authorities, tourism industry players and communities.
Japiril said the Government had its reports and statistics, but road users had their own experiences.
“People do not drive on reports. They experience the traffic on the ground,” he said.
He stressed that the association was not demanding that every road be upgraded to four lanes, but wanted road capacity to be planned according to actual needs, current conditions and future growth.
“Study now. Plan now. Implement now. Do not wait for congestion to become a crisis before taking action,” he said.