Woon says the popularity of Kelapa Sawit has outpaced its existing road capacity
TRAFFIC congestion in Kelapa Sawit, a small town in Kulai, Johor, is a growing concern for residents and visitors alike, prompting calls for road infrastructure improvements.
Kulai Municipal Council (MPKu) Kelapa Sawit zone councillor Woon Jone Haw said the area had emerged as one of the district’s key tourism attractions.
It is also home to a historical Hakka village known for its colourful murals, street artworks and traditional eateries serving authentic Hakka cuisine.
“Kelapa Sawit’s appeal lies in its small town charm, with clean streets, distinctive shops and well-known mural street, a popular photography spot often shared on social media,” said Woon.
“These attractions bring economic spillover to residents and help raise Kulai’s profile as a district rich in culture and tourism potential.
“This has increasingly brought in domestic and international visitors, particularly on weekends and public holidays.
“However, the area’s popularity has outpaced its existing road capacity, resulting in frequent traffic jams that spill into nearby shop areas,” he said.
Woon said people visited the area to eat and shop at the commercial area, which is also called new village.
As such, he said roads must be upgraded to cope with traffic, especially with Visit Johor 2026 being crucial for the state.
He highlighted current traffic control measures, including placement of concrete barriers, had not eased congestion.
“Aside from narrow roads in front of shoplots, the single-lane road leading into and out of the area is also frequently congested,” he said, noting that traffic snarls often extended to shop fronts, affecting businesses and residents.
The were also complaints of tour buses entering the area, worsening the situation, he said.
“I have spoken to tour bus operators and advised them to only drop off passengers by the roadside or at a nearby empty plot, instead of entering the new village; the situation has improved since then,” said Woon.
“For the comfort of road users and residents, a road widening project would be an ideal long-term solution.”
He said MPKu had to look at the matter comprehensively, as the presence of old shoplot buildings posed physical limitations.
“Even so, there is still a need to improve traffic flow through better planning and management.”
Infrastructure upgrades were also needed to support the area’s growth, he said.
This includes widening of roads at key stretches, additional parking spaces near tourist attractions and popular eateries, safer pedestrian crossings, improved street lighting and consistent traffic enforcement during peak periods.
Woon added that he had raised the matter at the council’s recent full board meeting and would follow up on the issue.
