
Thousands of police deployed for Op Lancar ahead of Aidiladha
KUALA LUMPUR: Thousands of policemen will be deployed nationwide to ensure safe and smooth traffic flow, especially over the weekend, in conjunction with the Aidiladha celebrations.
The traffic operation, codenamed Op Lancar, comes into effect today and will run until June 9.
Federal Traffic Enforcement and Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri said that a total of 1,858 officers and personnel have been deployed at hotspot locations nationwide.
Bumper-to-bumper traffic congestion is expected as Malaysians travel to their hometowns to celebrate with family. This coincides with the annual school holidays, with millions of motorists hitting the roads.
Yusri urged road users to plan their journeys back to their hometowns more effectively.
"All road users are also urged to play their part as responsible drivers by obeying traffic regulations. Avoid cutting queues, misusing emergency lanes, or parking in ways that obstruct the road," he said.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

The Star
9 hours ago
- The Star
Smooth traffic on highways on Hari Raya Aidiladha morning
KUALA LUMPUR: Traffic on all major highways nationwide on the morning of the Hari Raya Aidiladha celebration is reported to be smooth-flowing and under control, despite a slight increase in the number of vehicles at the Gombak Toll Plaza of the KL-Karak Expressway. A Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) spokesman said traffic is smooth flowing on the North-South Expressway (PLUS), the East Coast Highway (LPT) 1 and 2 as well as all toll roads around the Klang Valley. He added that 30 smart lanes have been activated along the PLUS Highway today to maintain smooth traffic flow. ALSO READ: Traffic still heavy on major highways as vehicles exit Klang Valley for Aidiladha The public can get the latest traffic updates via the toll-free PLUSLine at 1-800-88-0000, the X account @plustrafik or the LLM line at 1-800-88-7752 and the X account @llmtrafik. Meanwhile, in Kelantan, traffic flow at both border checkpoints - Gua Musang-Kuala Lipis and Terengganu-Kelantan via the Pasir Puteh road - remained smooth as of 9 am. Pasir Puteh police chief Supt Zaizul Rizal Zakaria said traffic is flowing smoothly as normal at the Terengganu-Pasir Puteh border checkpoint. - Bernama


Focus Malaysia
a day ago
- Focus Malaysia
Highway operators must invest in smart tech and R&D
AS Malaysians embarked on their annual Hari Raya journey back to their hometowns in early April, the nation witnessed an all-too-familiar scene—heavy congestion on major highways. Social media platforms were flooded with images and stories of gridlocked traffic, restless children, and long queues at rest stops. While these stories have become a routine part of festive seasons, they highlight a deeper issue: the increasing inadequacy of our highway infrastructure and traffic management systems to cope with rising vehicle numbers. According to the Transport Ministry, Malaysia had 36.3 million registered motor vehicles as of Oct 2023. The Malaysian Automotive Association further reported over 816,000 new vehicle registrations in 2024. This exponential growth has placed immense pressure on our road networks, particularly during peak seasons. The Malaysian Highway Authority estimated that during the Hari Raya peak period, approximately 2.77 million vehicles used the highway network each day—a staggering number by any measure. A need for more than just extra lanes Among the many toll highway operators in Malaysia, PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) is the largest and one of the most established in Southeast Asia. It manages the North-South Expressway, ELITE, the Butterworth-Kulim Expressway, and both Penang bridges. It also owns TERAS Teknologi, the developer of the Touch 'n Go and SmartTAG systems. Despite its vast experience and high toll revenue, PLUS—and highway operators more broadly—have not introduced many innovative traffic solutions in recent years. The most visible initiative has been the introduction of 'Smart Lanes', which allow the temporary use of emergency lanes during traffic peaks. However, the use of the term 'Smart Lane' in Malaysia may be misleading. In developed nations, smart lane systems involve sophisticated traffic management technologies—variable speed limits, lane automation, and sensor-driven lane allocation. These systems dynamically adapt in real-time to changing traffic conditions. Malaysia's version, by contrast, is rudimentary. It involves opening the emergency lane for limited periods using flashing lights and signage with no smart technology integration. This often leads to confusion among drivers, bottlenecks when the lane ends, and potential delays for emergency services. A call for investment in real smart systems Highway operators need to move beyond short-term solutions and invest meaningfully in physical assets, rapid-response capabilities, and research and development (R&D). One area that needs immediate attention is incident management. Congestion is frequently caused by delays in clearing accidents or breakdowns. Setting up rapid-response teams equipped with motorcycles and emergency equipment can significantly reduce recovery time. Additionally, intelligent transport systems (ITS), artificial intelligence (AI), and Internet of Things (IoT) applications should be adopted more widely. With the right infrastructure, it is possible to monitor traffic patterns, detect incidents instantly, and manage lane usage in real-time. Such systems are already in use in many developed nations. Highway operators should also work closely with local research institutions and universities to develop and implement smart traffic solutions tailored to Malaysian conditions. Rethinking rest areas Another aspect often overlooked is the condition of rest and service areas (R&Rs). During peak travel seasons, these facilities are overwhelmed. Long queues at restrooms, insufficient parking, and limited food options frustrate users. More temporary or mobile toilets should be made available during festivals, and facilities must be maintained to high standards to ensure a pleasant travel experience. Toward seamless highway travel Ultimately, the future of highway travel in Malaysia must rest on a more holistic, user-centred approach. It is no longer sufficient to rely on toll collections and physical expansions of the road network. Operators must embrace innovation and technology. With the right investment in infrastructure, data analytics, and human capital, it is possible to ease congestion, improve safety, and offer road users a significantly more comfortable and efficient travel experience. Highway operators have a responsibility—and an opportunity—to make that vision a reality. ‒ June 4, 2025 Omar Yaakob is an Adjunct Professor at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image: NST


New Straits Times
a day ago
- New Straits Times
Pahang expects 2.85 million vehicles along highways for Aidiladha
KUANTAN: Pahang is expected to witness a surge in traffic, with an estimated 2.85 million vehicles projected on its highways during Aidiladha celebrations this weekend. This figure is slightly lower than the traffic recorded during the recent Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations, which saw some 3.1 million vehicles entering the state. State Public Works, Transport and Health Committee chairman Datuk Ir. Razali Kassim said that the balik kampung travel projection, between May 29 and June 9, would see 2.56 million vehicles on the Kuala Lumpur–Karak Expressway (KLK) and 803,000 vehicles on the East Coast Expressway 1 (LPT1). "KLK will carry an average of 176,800 vehicles daily, with peak traffic anticipated on June 8 (Sunday), when around 184,000 vehicles are expected on the stretch. This increase is likely due to people returning to work on June 9, and schools reopening on June 10. "LPT1 is expected to handle 73,100 vehicles daily, with traffic peaking at 97,000 vehicles on June 8, particularly along the stretch between Karak (Bentong) and Jabor," he told reporters at the Gambang Toll Plaza yesterday. Earlier, Razali, accompanied by Pahang Road Transport Department (RTD) director Syed Ahmad Khairulanwar Alyahya Syed Abdul Rahman, distributed goodies to motorists at the toll plaza as part of the Aidiladha Road Safety Advocacy Programme. Razali said that traffic on KLK on Sunday was expected to increase by 61 per cent compared with normal days (non-festive season), which typically sees around 110,000 vehicles, while LPT1 is expected to see a 78 per cent increase, compared with its usual 41,000 vehicles on regular days. He reminded all road users to comply with traffic regulations, observe speed limits, and take adequate breaks during long drives, both on their way to their hometowns and during their return journeys. "Motorists must pay attention to constant reminders to prioritise safety on the road. They should also carry out basic vehicle inspections to ensure their vehicles are in good condition," he said. Razali said 262 RTD enforcement officers across Pahang were involved in a special operation for Aidiladha to help reduce accidents. The operation, which began on June 4, will end on June 10.