KUALA LUMPUR: Major highways heading to the Klang Valley were congested with many taking advantage of free toll rates on the North-South Expressway (NSE) and the East Coast Expressway, available from midnight on Friday until today, to return home after the Hari Raya Aidilfitri holidays.

       A spokesman for the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) said as of noon yesterday, there was heavy traffic on the NSE heading towards the Klang Valley from south Sungai Petani to Bertam; Permatang Pauh to Perai; and from Juru to Bandar Cassia.

       “There was a 10km congestion from Changkat Jering to Kuala Kangsar and slow-moving traffic from Bukit Merah to Taiping; Sungai Perak to Menora Tunnel; Ipoh to Simpang Pulai; Gua Tempurung to Tapah; Tapah rest and relaxation (R&R) area to Bidor; Ladang Bikam to Sungkai; and Bukit Beruntung heading to Rawang,” he told Bernama.

       He added that the traffic flow from the east coast saw congestion in Karak heading towards Bukit Tinggi, while for those travelling from the south, there was slow-moving traffic from Skudai to Kulai, Yong Peng to Pagoh and from the Senawang R&R area to Port Dickson.

       “The outbound traffic from the Klang Valley on the main highways is under control,” he said.

       In Bera, Pahang, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob advised motorists to get su- fficient rest before embarking on their trip home after the festive holidays.

       He said many people had already started their journey in order to return in time for work tomorrow, leading to congestion on many major highways since Friday.

       “I hope everyone will drive carefully and not force themselves. If you are tired or feel sleepy, stop for a rest before continuing your journey to ensure the safety of the family,” he told reporters at the Bera parliamentary constituency Aidilfitri open house in Laman Kerayong yesterday.

       Ismail Sabri, who is Bera MP, believes the relevant authorities like the Transport Ministry, Works Ministry, LLM and highway operators had long-term plans to overcome the frequent problem of traffic congestion during festive periods.

       Traffic flow started building up a couple of days before Hari Raya on Monday as people took advantage of the long weekend and public holiday to go back to their hometowns to celebrate, after being unable to do so for the past two years because of the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions.

       Labour Day and the Aidilfitri public holidays prompted many to take leave and extend their stay back in their hometowns until today.