Penang Long Holidays to Bring 1.9 Million Vehicles: 8 Key Traffic Hotspots to Watch Out For

(Penang, 22nd) With several public holidays and school breaks approaching at the end of May and early June—namely Hari Raya Haji, Wesak Day, and the King's official birthday—Penang police estimate that a massive traffic flow of up to 1.9 million vehicle trips will flood into Penang.

Penang State Police Chief Datuk Aziz issued a press statement on Friday (May 22), noting that this traffic peak is expected to begin with Hari Raya Haji on May 27–28, and will continue through the long holidays from May 31 to June 2 (Wesak Day and the King's birthday). As Penang is a major domestic tourist destination and a strategic northern gateway, local roads will be under extreme traffic pressure during this period.

To ensure smooth traffic flow and reduce accident rates during the long holiday, Penang police will adopt a "Pre-Emptive Services and Total Enforcement" concept, taking proactive measures to conduct guidance and supervision on all major roads, traffic bottlenecks, and accident-prone areas throughout Penang. The aim is to ensure road user safety and to mitigate congestion. At the same time, police will strictly enforce traffic regulations to reduce fatal accidents.

The statement mentioned that the Penang Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT) will deploy 145 officers and personnel to be directly involved in front-line duties.

In addition, the traffic police will closely collaborate with the Penang Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department (JPJKK), Road Transport Department (JPJ), local authorities (PBT), and PLUS Expressways, among other enforcement agencies, to jointly station at strategic locations across the state.

The police have also specifically highlighted 8 traffic hotspots in Penang—areas with extremely high traffic volumes, high accident rates, or prone to severe traffic jams—urging road users to exercise extra caution when passing through:

1. North Seberang Perai (SPU): Jalan Teluk Air Tawar – Jalan Bagan Luar

2. Central Seberang Perai (SPT): Jalan Perusahaan Perai (Perai Industrial Area) – Jalan Kulim

3. South Seberang Perai (SPS): Jalan Besar Simpang Empat (KM12 – KM32)

4. Northeast District (T/Laut): Lebuhraya Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu / Jalan Ayer Itam

5. Northeast District (T/Laut): Jalan Ayer Itam – Paya Terubong

6. Southwest District (B/Daya): Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah

7. Southwest District (B/Daya): Jalan Tun Dr Awang

8. All major highways / open highways (Lebuhraya / Open Highway)

Aziz also reminded the public to remain patient during long journeys, obey traffic rules, plan travel times well, and drive safely.