June 3, 2026
CAMERON HIGHLANDS – A holiday exodus to Cameron Highlands over the long weekend triggered a massive traffic jam where vegetable transport lorries take up to seven hours to reach their destinations.
The gridlock, which stretched from the uphill routes at Simpang Pulai and Tapah to major roads within the highlands, left residents, traders and delivery operators stranded for hours as visitor numbers exceeded expectations.
Local residents, traders and transport operators described the situation as among the worst ever experienced, with some motorists spending up to four hours travelling between locations normally less than 20 minutes apart.
Known for its cool climate and scenic landscape, Cameron Highlands has long been one of Malaysia’s most popular tourist destinations
In recent days, social media platforms in Cameron Highlands have been flooded with posts about the traffic situation.
Some motorists reported that traffic began building up on the Simpang Pulai route as early as 7am, while congestion between Brinchang and Kuala Terla also started around the same time.
Others said they were caught in traffic from 7.30am just trying to exit their hotels onto the main road in Brinchang.
Homestay operator Cheng Nan Hong said severe congestion had already begun last Saturday, with traffic at some stretches coming to a complete standstill.
He said a friend who operates a stall at the night market and lives in Tanah Rata told him that a journey which normally takes 10 minutes now requires leaving home two to four hours earlier due to the traffic.
He also revealed that a tourist from Kota Bharu had called to book accommodation but was advised to postpone the trip instead.
“The journey from Kota Bharu to Cameron Highlands normally takes about six hours.
“Now, reaching Brinchang or Tanah Rata can take an additional four to five hours because of the traffic, making the total journey close to 10 hours,” he said.
Cheng, who is also deputy president of the Cameron Highlands Chinese Farmers Association, said reports circulating online that strawberries had been “wiped out” were not entirely surprising.
“The earlier rainy season affected strawberry production. Combined with visitor numbers far exceeding expectations, many farmers were unable to meet demand, resulting in shortages.
“Avocados are currently in season between May and June, and sales have also increased significantly.”
“Several public holidays fell together this time, and the number of tourists is even higher than during major festive periods. We dare not even estimate how much it has increased.”
Vegetable trucks delayed by hours
Cameron Highlands Vegetable Transport Vehicle Owners’ Association chairman Kwang Ee Fu said that due to the public holidays, most vegetable transport operators were taking a break for a day or two, although some continued operating to supply supermarkets and collect fresh produce for packaging centres.
“I was waiting for a lorry driver to pick up goods. Normally he would arrive around 4pm, but yesterday he only arrived at 11pm. The traffic situation has truly set another record,” said Kwang.
He said trucks transporting vegetables out of Cameron Highlands were not significantly affected, but routes used to collect produce and deliver it to packaging and quality-control centres experienced serious delays.
“A round trip that usually takes about an hour now requires several hours just to reach the destination one way,” he said.
According to Kwang, one driver left Kampung Raja for Ringlet at 1.10pm on Sunday. Under normal conditions, the journey would take less than an hour, but he only arrived at 8pm.
“That was just the one-way journey. The return trip wasn’t even included,” he said.
Fuel supply still sufficient
Meanwhile, Tanah Rata assemblyman Ho Chi Yang said that despite the extraordinary number of visitors, fuel supplies at petrol stations in Cameron Highlands remained adequate.