Johor Police Expect Heavy Traffic With Long Weekend From Thursday

Due to the long weekend holiday in conjunction with the first day of Ramadan and Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar's birthday, which falls on Thursday, Johor police expect heavy traffic on the state's major roads and highways. State police chief Comm Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat stated that officers and personnel will be deployed in the coming days to ensure safe travel for road users. "Muslims, in particular, are expected to return to their hometowns to celebrate the first day of Ramadan with their loved ones. "We will deploy members of other departments and police stations, in addition to traffic personnel, to help ease congestion on major roads and highways during the period," he said when reached on Wednesday. 

He urged those who will be taking advantage of the long weekend to return to their hometowns and notify the nearest police station to ensure that their homes are safe. Meanwhile, Comm Kamarul Zaman stated that police will be stationed at bazaars and on roads throughout the fasting month. "Traffic congestion usually gets worse when people rush to get home at the same time either from work or picking up their children from school to make preparations for their breaking of fast. "We have identified locations where traffic will crawl and will be assigning personnel and officers there," he said, adding that the police will also work closely with local councils and Rela during the month-long period.

If the first day of Ramadan coincides with Sultan Ibrahim's birthday, which is on March 23, the state government has declared a replacement holiday for March 26. The first day of Ramadan has always been observed as a public holiday in Johor. With the state adopting the Friday-Saturday weekend, Johor will have a four-day weekend starting on Thursday.