Cameron Highland need a new vision of transportation

Despite caution by people on the traffic situation in Cameron Highlands during weekends and public holidays, I visited this mountainous plateau with my family on Merdeka Day.

As warned by friends, I was caught in a massive traffic jam in Brinchang, and this jam continued through smaller winding roads leading to the tea plantations.

As we went up the tea plantation, the traffic was congested in roads smaller and narrower. With two ways, there was always a rush to get ahead of the other. There came a time when vehicles were stuck and could not move .

A bus driver came out and started screaming for the cars to move on. A motorist parked his bike at the side of the road and started guiding the oncoming vehicles. There were no traffic police available.

The risk of accidents was high in the context of the traffic jam as drivers on both sides of the road, coming down and going up ,were trying hard to get to their destination.

Being a landscape of lush tea plantations, flora and cool climate, Cameron Highland is a jewel to the Malaysian nation. Over the decades, it has been an attractive and aesthetic attraction for foreign and local tourists.

It is a place where the nation’s reputation as a tourist attraction comes into play. It is thus disappointing that the authorities have not yet come up with a proper vision and management of the traffic situation.

It is time that a realistic vision of reducing traffic is given attention by the Pahang state government.

Tourists, whether foreign or domestic, should spend much time enjoying the aesthetic beauty of Cameron Highland instead of spending hours in their vehicles.

There is a need for more minibuses that can carry tourists to their destinations without the use of private vehicles.

The overwhelming use of private vehicles pollutes the environment and nullifies Cameron Highland as a clean and green destination.

Traffic authorities need to be seen to be present to ensure an orderly movement of vehicles, especially along small narrow roads.

Hopefully, with Visit Malaysia Year 2026 looming, the Pahang state government and the federal government could work on a common vision to reduce vehicles in Cameron Highlands.

This is to avoid traffic jams, and in the long run preserve its environment. – Focus Malaysia