Patient wait: People waiting for their train at Butterworth KTM station near Penang Sentral in Butterworth. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
BUTTERWORTH: The balik kampung exodus has begun, with many seen lugging their bags at Penang Sentral here, preparing to head home and celebrate Raya with their families.
Among them was Form Five student Muhammad Hariz Ibrahim, who was returning to his hometown in Kampar, Perak.
“The Raya spirit is in full swing! The occasion is probably the only time in a year that the entire family of about 20 members will get together at my parents’ home in Kampar, Perak,” said Muhammad Hariz, who is the youngest of six siblings, when met yesterday.
Retiree Abdul Hamid Hizam, 68, and his wife, from Putrajaya, were also spotted at Penang Sentral, preparing to head back to Alor Setar, Kedah, by train.
“We flew from Kuala Lumpur to Penang because flights to Sultan Abdul Halim Airport in Alor Setar were sold out.
“It is a long journey, but it is worth it in the spirit of Hari Raya,” he said.
Meanwhile, checks on major roads across Penang showed traffic beginning to build up by yesterday evening, with queues forming at the Juru and Sungai Dua toll plazas.
Penang deputy police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said checkpoints would be set up at eight accident-prone locations in Penang starting today until April 3 as part of the six-day Ops Selamat operation.
The areas include Jalan Teluk Air Tawar, Jalan Bagan Luar, Jalan Perusahaan Perai, Jalan Kulim, Jalan Besar Simpang Empat (KM12-32), Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway-Jalan Air Itam, Jalan Air Itam-Paya Terubong, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Jalan Tun Dr Awang and the open highway section of the North-South Expressway.
“These are the ‘hotspots’ where road accidents have occurred in the past during the Hari Raya season,” he told reporters after distributing goodies to motorists at the Juru toll plaza yesterday.
“Although we recorded 777 traffic accidents during Ops Selamat in 2024, an increase from 681 cases in 2023, we hope that with greater awareness, the number of accidents will decrease this year,” he said.
Also present was Penang Traffic Enforcement Department chief Supt Zafri Zolkapli.
In a Bernama report, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic) advised road users to adopt a considerate and respectful attitude to ensure a safe and comfortable journey to their hometowns.
“This balik kampung phenomenon is often accompanied by major challenges, namely extraordinary congestion, which puts pressure on the road system, in addition to an increased risk of accidents due to tired drivers, congestion at the rest areas, and violations of traffic rules.
“Avoid provocation, aggressive driving or hasty behaviour that risks inviting tragedy.
“There is nothing more meaningful than seeing the faces of our loved ones welcoming our return with smiles, not tears,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, shared that Plus Malaysia Berhad’s (PLUS) forecast on daily traffic flow, which is expected to increase by up to 20%, is equivalent to 2.2 million vehicles per day during the festive season.
PLUS also said the East Coast Highway and alternative routes to the East Coast will experience extraordinary congestion, while traffic on federal and state roads is expected to increase between 15% and 25%.
Despite these anticipated delays, the Hari Raya spirit was alive at major bus terminals, such as the Terminal Bersepadu Selatan in Kuala Lumpur, with many heading back to their hometowns for the festivities.
Private sector worker Nur Emilia Mohd Takyuddin, 27, said she chose to take the express bus to celebrate Hari Raya in Temerloh, Pahang, to avoid feeling fatigued from driving on congested highways.
“I am travelling alone, so it is easier to take a bus than drive my car,” she said.
