Malaysia braced for Hari Raya traffic jams; new toll system in the works

Malaysians are preparing to hit the roads to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri in their home towns at the end of March, with the annual journey causing the nation's highways to turn into a sea of vehicles.

- Hazlin Hassan

With the holiday coinciding with Qing Ming, which falls on April 4, the congestion to rush out of Kuala Lumpur and the Klang Valley area could be worse in 2025, as Chinese Malaysians are expected to join Malay Muslims to "balik kampung" (return home).

Other big cities with large numbers of interstate workers such as Johor Bahru would also see a mass exodus of vehicles.

Sales executive Mohd Hafiz Rahman, 38, who works in Kuala Lumpur, is preparing to be stuck for hours on the road when he drives with his wife and three children on March 28 to Batu Pahat, 250km to the south.

"We plan to be on the road by 3am because that's usually the only time when traffic is moving," he said, adding that he is stocking his car with snacks, water and wet wipes. The journey, which normally takes about three hours, can take twice as long during peak season.

More than 2.2 million vehicles are expected to hit the road between March 27 and March 29, according to highway operator Plus Malaysia. The country is slated to celebrate Hari Raya on March 31, though Islamic officials will confirm the actual date pending the sighting of the new moon on March 30.

Qing Ming, also known as Tomb Sweeping Day, is a traditional Chinese festival to honour the dead, where families visit the graves of their ancestors to clean the tombstones and pay respects.