KUALA LUMPUR: Traffic is building up along most major highways nationwide as those celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri start making their way back to their hometowns for the festivities.

       As of 5pm on Friday (April 29), heavy traffic was reported heading north from Juru along the North-South Expressway.

       According to the @plustrafik Twitter page, traffic was also slow-moving on the Penang Bridge from the Island heading to Prai.

       PLUS, in a tweet said 1,100 toll booths would be in operation throughout this period.

       It added that more than 1,500 customer service assistants would be on duty.

       A number of accidents occurred on Friday, which also contributed to the traffic congestion along the North-South Expressway.

       Rela personnel would be deployed at various locations for traffic management while personnel from the PLUS Headquarters Reserve Units would also be at strategic locations.

       PLUS advised motorists to stop in the emergency lanes only when experiencing emergencies or vehicle breakdowns.

       It advised road users to place the emergency triangle at least 45m away from the vehicle as an early warning to other vehicles.

       Affected motorists should also stand behind the guardrails until help arrives.

       City police chief Comm Datuk Azmi Abu Kassim urged members of the public to ensure their houses were locked up before making their journeys.

       "We predict that over one million vehicles would be leaving Kuala Lumpur for Hari Raya Aidilfitri but it might be higher as it has been two years since people were allowed to balik kampung due to the pandemic.

       "Based on our observation at the Jalan Duta Toll Plaza along the New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE) on Friday, many motorists were heading home after finishing work and picking up their children from school.

       "We have not seen the real exodus yet which would probably occur on Friday night and Saturday," he told reporters at the Jalan Duta Toll Plaza on Friday.

       He said only 10% of the city police force would be granted leaves during this period to ensure patrols and traffic management operations were conducted without any issue.

       "Your vehicles must be well maintained to ensure they do not break down along the way and cause traffic congestion," he said.