‘Implement contraflow to address congestion on Jalan Kuching’

Yee Poh Ping, a community activist in KEPONG, has suggested that Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) should implement a contraflow system on Jalan Kuching and Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah (Jalan Ipoh) to address the issue of peak hour traffic. Yee previously approached the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) in 2019 to propose the construction of an elevated highway, but was informed that the area falls under DBKL’s jurisdiction. However, Yee still has two suggestions to alleviate traffic congestion on Jalan Kuching and Jalan Ipoh. One is a long-term solution: building a toll-free elevated highway from the Batu Caves roundabout to Jalan Sultan Ismail in the city. The second suggestion is a short-term fix, which entails implementing a contraflow system.

Yee recommends that DBKL investigate the feasibility of implementing the contraflow system on weekdays between 6am-9am and 4pm-7pm, covering the stretch from the Batu Caves roundabout to Jalan Sultan Ismail. He proposes that the contraflow should commence from Jalan Ipoh near the Batu Caves roundabout, pass through the Kepong and Segambut roundabouts, and exit at the Jalan Sultan Ismail junction. Yee estimates that this would involve a 10km stretch. He points out that heavy traffic during morning and evening rush hours is already a common occurrence and will only worsen with the construction of more housing projects.

Yee argues that if a contraflow system from the Batu 9 Toll Plaza in Cheras to Jalan Loke Yew can be implemented, there is no reason why it cannot be done in this case. He witnessed DBKL workers placing cones along Jalan Loke Yew for the Cheras contraflow as early as 3.30am to redirect traffic. Yee also refers to the three contraflow systems announced by Transport Minister Anthony Loke on July 3 in various parts of Kuala Lumpur. These include stretches from the Sungai Besi Toll Plaza to the Besraya Highway interchange, from Jalan Maharajalela to Jalan Cheras, and a dedicated bus lane along Jalan Ampang. DBKL has not provided a comment as of press time.