TRAFFIC on the main highways throughout the country increased as of 10pm due to the number of people heading to their hometowns to vote in the general election tomorrow.

According to a Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) spokesman, congestion was reported along the North South Expressway (PLUS) northbound, especially a 7.4km stretch from Slim River to Sungkai and 6.4km between Tapah and Gopeng.

Congestion was also reported from Senai to Kulai, Bukit Lanjan to the Rawang (R&R) and Bidor to Tapah, he said.

“Meanwhile, an accident was reported along the Senai to Skudai stretch forcing traffic to a crawl for 5.5km, although no lanes were blocked.

“An accident at Bandar Ainsdale to Nilai late afternoon has been cleared and traffic flow returned to normal,” the spokesman said last night.

He added that traffic along PLUS (southbound) was slow between Sedenak and Kulai, and Putra Mahkota to Nilai following a three-car accident.

“Congestion was also reported along Linkedua heading into Malaysia, especially at the Customs and Immigration Quarantine complex Sultan Abu Bakar,” he said.

Meanwhile, a spokesman from the East Coast Expressway said significant congestion was reported for 14.6km from Gombak to Bukit Tinggi, 4.5 km from Kuantan to Lentang and 2.8km from Lentang to Bentong.

The LLM was expecting traffic on all main highways to increase from midnight throughout the day, especially given that tolls are free until after the election. – Bernama, November 18, 2022.