Caught in balik kampung rush

KUALA LUMPUR: Motorists who attempted to violate the conditional movement control order (MCO) by travelling out of state were told by the police to turn back at Gombak toll plaza.

As of 3pm yesterday, the drivers of about 60 vehicles were ordered to turn back towards Gombak or Hulu Kelang while they were going through a roadblock near the toll plaza.

Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Noor Azam Jamaludin said he was aware of traffic congestion near Gombak toll plaza yesterday morning.

“I believe the congestion started as we opened only one lane for regular vehicles and another lane for vehicles from essential services at the roadblock there.

“However, as traffic was building up, we opened another lane for regular vehicles and it began to ease up,” he said.

Comm Noor Azam said traffic was heavy at about noon, but it came back under control at about 3.30pm after the additional lane was opened.

“We also found several people trying to breach the conditional MCO by travelling interstate,” he said.

He added that about 60 vehicles were told to turn back and probably more were caught later on in the day.

Comm Noor Azam advised the public to adhere to the conditional MCO by not attempting to balik kampung or travelling interstate.

“Our ultimate goal is to break the chain of Covid-19 infection.

“Let us cooperate and stop the spread of the virus together,” he added.

Earlier, a check by The Star found that there was a traffic jam from 3km to 4km up to Taman Melawati and Sri Gombak at about noon.

The high number of vehicles due to people heading towards the east coast and the roadblock contributed towards the congestion.

It is learnt that some of the motorists were trying to make an early move to the east coast states for the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations.