Highways of the future

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's highway story dates back to March 1964, while toll collection was introduced two years later, in March 1966, on the Tanjung Malim-Slim River Highway, which, according to data from the Works Ministry, was the first highway in Malaysia and Asia.

The 24-kilometre (km) stretch initially charged motorists a 50-sen toll, before the charge was abolished in 1994 following the completion of the North-South Expressway.

The country's journey into controlled-access highways, however, began with the Federal Highway, which was constructed in 1974 and fully completed in 1977.

The highway construction sector subsequently expanded rapidly, particularly after the North-South Expressway was completed and opened to traffic. Highway operations were also gradually transferred from the Public Works Department (JKR) to private companies under the Privatisation Policy, beginning in the 1980s.

Controlled-access highways refer to roads where entry and exit are regulated, with vehicles allowed to enter or leave only through designated access points to ensure safety and smooth traffic flow.

Today, millions of vehicles travel daily on Malaysia's modern highway network, connecting villages, towns, industrial areas and destinations across the country.

Recognising the importance of this infrastructure to the national economy and public well-being amid growing vehicle ownership and mobility needs, the MADANI Government is now focusing on strengthening connectivity, improving traffic dispersal systems and enhancing highway services through the adoption of modern technology.

HIGHWAYS AS VITAL CONNECTORS

Reflecting on the growth of Malaysia's highway sector, Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Maslan said the country now has a 2,151-km highway network spanning 34 routes and operated by 28 concessionaires.

He said highways in Peninsular Malaysia currently carry about six million vehicles a day, while those in Sabah and Sarawak are used by approximately 200,000 vehicles daily.

"In Peninsular Malaysia, people use the highways to commute to work, conduct business, send their children to school or return to their hometowns.

"Therefore, the government, through the Works Ministry (KKR) and the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM), is committed to continuously prioritising safety, comfort and maintenance across the highway network so that the people can continue to benefit from it," he said during a recent podcast session.

Ahmad said urban highways play an important role in addressing congestion in metropolitan areas while shortening daily travel times for motorists.

Intercity highways, meanwhile, serve as vital links between states, facilitating the movement of goods and logistics, stimulating social activities and driving the country's economic growth.

In Sarawak, he said, the Pan Borneo Highway, which has been fully completed and opened to motorists, serves as a key link between towns and districts.

"The Pan Borneo Highway project in Sabah, meanwhile, is still under construction, with five of the 35 work packages completed. The project is targeted for full completion by 2030," he said.

He added that motorists using both highways are not required to pay tolls.

The government had previously decided against imposing tolls on the Pan Borneo highways in Sabah and Sarawak for several reasons, including the absence of alternative routes similar to those available in Peninsular Malaysia.

The project is also regarded as part of the government's social responsibility to the people, with the routes classified as federal roads.

TACKLING CONGESTION CAUSED BY ACCIDENTS

On road accidents, which are among the main causes of highway congestion, Ahmad said such incidents could not be completely avoided, but their impact could be minimised through preventive measures and stronger road safety initiatives.

Among the measures implemented by KKR is ensuring continuous infrastructure maintenance so that roads remain in good condition.

These efforts are complemented by road safety education programmes and campaigns disseminated through various channels, including media publicity, Variable Message Signs (VMS) and social media, as well as swift action by relevant agencies in managing accidents.

"Based on a 2011 study by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS), the three main factors contributing to road accidents are human negligence at 80.6 per cent, road conditions at 13.2 per cent, and vehicle-related factors at 6.2 per cent.

"…For incident management on the ground, every highway is also required to have an Emergency Response Plan (ERP), issued by LLM as a standard reference for concessionaires," he explained.

Ahmad said LLM and highway concessionaires also have patrol teams on standby to assist in removing vehicles involved in accidents so that traffic flow can resume as quickly as possible.

"For accidents involving overturned vehicles or vehicles blocking the entire highway, a contraflow lane in the opposite direction will be opened to temporarily divert traffic while the vehicles are being removed," he said.

A mandatory-exit procedure is also implemented when vehicle removal is expected to take a long time and a contraflow cannot be activated. Under the procedure, motorists are directed to exit onto nearby federal or state roads via the nearest interchange.

"Traffic management today no longer relies solely on physical patrols. It is also supported by technology. Traffic is monitored continuously, 24 hours a day, by the LLM Traffic Management Centre (TMC) through the integration of 873 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and 278 Variable Message Sign (VMS) displays.

"Users can also obtain the latest traffic information through LLM's official accounts on X, TikTok and Facebook, as well as digital applications such as TuJu, to check traffic conditions and plan their journeys more effectively," he said.

MAINTENANCE AND UPGRADING

Ahmad said the government and highway concessionaires share responsibility for ensuring continuous highway maintenance to safeguard motorists' safety and comfort.

Such efforts not only ensure that highway assets remain in optimal condition but also support efforts to enhance safety and comfort for users.

"The annual operating and maintenance cost for the entire highway network amounts to RM2.7 billion," he said, adding that the government also ensures the participation of Bumiputera contractors in highway construction and maintenance projects.

"From January to March 2026, contracts worth RM5.18 billion were awarded to Bumiputera contractors, involving 1,286 contractors," he said.

Ahmad said the government was also upgrading highway infrastructure in line with current needs to improve safety, traffic flow and the well-being of motorists.

Among the major projects and safety initiatives under way are the Juru-Sungai Dua Traffic Dispersal Project and the construction of additional lanes on the North-South Expressway from Yong Peng (North) to Senai (North).

Both projects are aimed at upgrading and increasing the capacity of the North-South Expressway to address congestion and improve traffic flow.

In addition, Ahmad said LLM was installing 3,000 solar-powered LED lights along the North-South Expressway, Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway, East Coast Expressway and Seremban-Port Dickson Expressway.

The initiative aims to improve lighting at these locations while further enhancing highway safety and user comfort.

Installation of the solar-powered LED lights is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Meanwhile, under the Bitara MADANI initiative, the government has taken proactive steps to build motorcycle shelters, providing safer protection for riders during heavy rain.

"As of 2025, a total of 571 motorcycle shelters are operational across the country's highway network. In addition, LLM is targeting the construction of 15 new shelters this year to ensure that motorcyclists no longer have to seek shelter on road shoulders or under bridges, where they face considerable risks," he added.

EMPOWERING TECHNOLOGY

On smart highways, Ahmad said the concept went beyond simply modernising highways, representing a comprehensive approach to harnessing technology to create safer, more comfortable and smoother journeys for motorists.

He said among the technologies being introduced and adopted was artificial intelligence (AI), which helps analyse information and supports faster and more accurate decision-making.

"Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) also play an important role through various components, including smart CCTV, automated vehicle and incident detection systems, electronic message displays, Weight In-Motion (WIM) systems, smart traffic lights and smart LED street lighting.

"These technologies will be coordinated and connected to the LLM Traffic Management Centre to help manage traffic flow more efficiently, continuously monitor highway conditions and enable incidents to be identified and addressed more quickly," he said.

KKR is also making use of data analytics to gain deeper insights into traffic patterns and movements, indirectly helping it develop more effective strategies for traffic-flow management, infrastructure maintenance and emergency response.

From the users' perspective, digital toll payment systems supporting multiple transaction methods not only make toll-plaza transactions more convenient, but also speed up journeys and give motorists greater flexibility without having to rely on a single payment method.

These technologies are further enhanced through real-time communication, enabling information on traffic conditions, accidents, lane closures and maintenance works to be relayed to motorists quickly and accurately.

"Recently, LLM and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen telecommunications coverage along highways.

"This cooperation is an important step because the highways of the future must not only provide safe and efficient journeys, but also ensure that users have continuous access to stable communication networks," he added.

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

Looking ahead, Ahmad said the government, together with highway concessionaires, aims to implement the Multi Lane Free Flow (MLFF) system in Malaysia, a barrier-free and seamless toll payment system designed to improve traffic flow.

He said the project would adopt a Business-to-Business (B2B) approach, with concessionaires appointing service providers to implement the system without imposing financial implications on the government.

Various aspects of the implementation are currently being refined, including the development of the business rules that will form the basis for MLFF implementation.

"According to the plan, MLFF will be implemented in stages, beginning with the Single Lane Fast Flow (SLFF) system in 2027, following the finalisation of the necessary amendments to the relevant acts and legislation," he said.

He added that the government would establish a comprehensive legal framework to support the implementation of the system, including enforcement powers for relevant agencies and legal action against offenders.

According to Ahmad, the government has clear and strategic plans to develop and expand Malaysia's highway network based on the Highway Network Development Plan (HNDP), with the focus on strengthening connectivity and improving the efficiency of existing highway services.

"Proposals for new highway development will be assessed from various perspectives, including technical and financial considerations as well as social impact, to ensure that the routes deliver the best value for the people and support national development.

"The government is confident that the completion of the highway network in the future will continue to strengthen the country's infrastructure and serve as a key driver of Malaysia's economic competitiveness," he said.

He added that the benefits of structured highway development undertaken over the past five to 15 years were now being enjoyed by the people.