Sarawak Festive Season Traffic Management Measures
KUCHING: In an effort to enhance road safety during the Hari Raya celebrations, Sarawak will enforce a temporary ban on goods vehicles, in alignment with the Federal Government’s nationwide strategy.
State Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin confirmed that the ban would take effect on selected dates, with further details to be announced soon.
“We are closely working with the Road Transport Department (JPJ), and an official announcement regarding the enforcement period will be made shortly. This is a routine measure taken during major festive seasons, including Chinese New Year, to ensure safer road conditions,” Lee said at a road safety campaign event on Wednesday (March 12).
Reducing Road Congestion and Enhancing Safety
On Monday (March 10), federal Transport Minister Anthony Loke stated that goods vehicles would be restricted on March 29-30 and April 5-6 to prevent congestion and minimize accident risks.
Loke explained that the ban would help ease traffic flow during peak travel periods when many Malaysians are returning to their hometowns.
“Heavy vehicles can contribute to congestion and accidents, especially when traffic volume is high. This temporary ban is crucial to ensuring safer and more efficient travel during the festive period,” he noted.
He also emphasized that similar bans imposed during previous celebrations had successfully reduced road incidents and improved traffic conditions.
Hari Raya Road Safety Campaign Initiatives
Meanwhile, Lee announced that the state’s road safety campaign would be officially launched on March 17 in Mukah, featuring special Hari Raya green packets to promote safe driving practices.
“Following the positive response to our red packets for Chinese New Year, we are introducing green packets for Hari Raya. These packets will serve as a reminder for drivers to stay cautious on the road,” he stated.
The green packets will display illustrations of Sarawak’s diverse transportation systems, including roads, waterways, and the state airline, AirBorneo, along with safety messages about seat belt use, helmet-wearing, and speed limits.
“Our main priority is for everyone to arrive home safely and celebrate Hari Raya with their loved ones,” Lee added.
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