Smooth traffic and no balik kampung exodus

Few vehicles: Traffic looking clear after 9am yesterday at the Sungai Besi toll plaza in Kuala Lumpur. — LOW LAY PHON/The Star

GOMBAK: Traffic was smooth at most toll plazas leading out of the city yesterday.

At the Gombak toll plaza, there was no traffic congestion, contrary to social media buzz.

Gombak OCPD Asst Comm Zainal Mohamed Mohamed said traffic was smooth both towards Bentong and towards Kuala Lumpur as at press time.

“Contrary to certain reports that went viral on social media, there was no balik kampung exodus that led to massive congestion near the Gombak toll plaza.

“Traffic was smooth on Saturday and so far now,” he told reporters at the Gombak toll plaza yesterday.

ACP Zainal was commenting on reports that alleged there was a balik kampung exodus that led to massive traffic congestion at the Gombak toll plaza.

In fact, traffic towards Bentong was minimal yesterday, while there was an increase of between 10% and 20% in the number of vehicles heading to Kuala Lumpur, he added.

“The increase in vehicles led to a minor traffic crawl of about 700m, but it was largely due to stringent checks being conducted at the roadblock.

“The majority of motorists had the necessary letters and documents to travel,” he added.

Gombak police would also step up efforts to enforce the standard operating procedure during the Hari Raya Aidiladha celebrations tomorrow, said ACP Zainal.

Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department director Comm Datuk Azisman Alias said traffic remained smooth at all highways and main roads nationwide.

“Police will also conduct stringent checks at all roadblocks in the states and districts.

“We will take action against those who flout Covid-19 SOP,” he said.

A check at the Sungai Besi toll plaza also showed that not many cars were jamming up the highway, with police personnel at the roadblock checking the documents of travellers.

In George Town, Penang police chief Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said his team would tighten checks at roadblocks, including trails known as rat lanes, to catch people trying to cross states to celebrate Hari Raya Aidiladha in their hometowns.

In Alor Setar, Kedah police reminded people not to cross districts or states illegally as the state was still in Phase One of the National Recovery Plan.