Cameron Highland Need A New Vision Of Transportation

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IN spite of the caution by people on the traffic situation in Cameron Highland during weekends and public holidays, I made a point to visit 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 where vehicles were stuck and could not move .
A bus driver came out and started screaming for the cars to move on and a motorist parked his bike at the side of the road and started guiding the oncoming vehicles. There was no traffic police available.
The risk of accidents was high in the context of the traffic jam since 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 where it has over the decades been an attractive and aesthetic attraction to foreign and Malaysian tourists.
It is a place where the nation’s reputation as a tourist attraction comes into play and it is disappointing that the authorities have yet to come with 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 spending hours in their vehicles.
There is a need for more minibuses that could 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.
There is a need for traffic authorities to be seen present to ensure there is orderly movement of vehicles especially in small narrow roads.
It is hoped that in line with the visit Malaysia Year year 2026, the Pahang state government and the federal government could work on a common vision to reduce vehicles in Cameron Highland.

This is to avoid traffic jams, and in the long run preserve its environment.
Ronald Benjamin is a human resources practitioner based in Ipoh. He is currently secretary of the Association for Community and Dialogue.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.
- Focus Malaysia.

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