18/06/2025

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WEDNESDAY | JUNE 18, 2025

Risky route of East-West Highway

KOTA BHARU: Known for its rugged terrain and frequent elephant crossings, the East-West Highway connecting Gerik in Perak to Jeli in Kelantan is considered one of the most challenging routes in Peninsular Malaysia. Every year, fatal crashes are reported along this route but the tragedy that occurred in the early hours of June 9 was the worst ever recorded on this highway. It claimed the lives of 15 students from Universiti Perguruan Sultan Idris, who were on their way back to campus in Tanjung Malim, Perak after celebrating Aidiladha with their families in Jerteh, Terengganu. The tour bus, specially chartered by a group of 42 students, was involved in the crash at 1am near Tasik Banding, Gerik, just a few hours after they had departed from the grounds of Masjid Hadhari in Jerteh. This writer, based at Bernama’s Kota Bharu bureau in Kelantan, was assigned to cover the tragedy, with Gerik Hospital as the destination. Although it was not the writer’s first time driving on this highway, anxiety loomed before departing from the town of Jeli, especially since o Road riddled with potholes, sharp corners appear without warning

road cost RM205 million. Inspired by Malaysia’s first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman, it became one of the department’s largest highway projects. Before this highway, the journey from Kota Bharu to Alor Setar stretched about 1,000km. The road was strategically developed to counter communist threats by opening up rural areas. Department staff and security personnel faced constant danger. On May 23, 1974, communists destroyed 63 department machines and on Aug 27 the same year, an ambush killed three department personnel. To honor these sacrifices, a memorial was built in 1994 at the May 23 ambush site and upgraded in 2015, Bernama reported. From its opening in 1982, the Territorial Army Regiment controlled this highway due to ongoing threats. Military control ended after the Hat Yai Peace Agreement on December 2, 1989. Phase two of the project, covering the Kulim-Baling and Titi Karangan-Gerik routes, was developed between 1993 and 2005. However, unlike phase two, phase one of this highway appears neglected, with poor maintenance, noted by the writer. The university student tragedy caught the attention of authorities after social media users pointed out that white lane markings, which were absent before the crash, suddenly appeared at the site.

travellers heading to Kelantan or from Kelantan to the west coast or north prefer this highway. “This road is quite dangerous but it is the only one I use to visit my wife’s hometown in Machang, Kelantan. I usually depart in the morning, so it is bright and I can avoid potholes and sharp turns more easily,” shared Ahmad Fauzan Ismail, 35, whom the writer met at a rest area. Ahmad, a private sector employee from Sungai Petani, Kedah, said he prefers this highway as it avoids a longer journey compared with the Simpang Pulai-Gua Musang route. Retired civil servant Wan Mokhtar Wan Ismail, 63, a frequent highway user, said although he is familiar with the route, the road’s unpredictable condition makes it impossible to anticipate what lies ahead. “There is always fear whenever I drive on this highway because we do not know if there is road damage, potholes ahead or wild elephants. “I have lost count of how many times my tyres have hit potholes on this road. Some you can see them because the surface is uneven or patched, but others you cannot avoid in time, you just accept it,” said Wan Mokhtar, who was on his way to Baling, Kedah. The history of this highway, although not widely known, is drawn from accounts by Kelantan elders, Wikipedia and the Works Ministry. Built by the Public Works Department from 1967 and officially opened on July 1, 1982, the 123km

Wildlife sometimes dart across the road suddenly, risking collisions. – SUNP I C

However, this highway, which cuts through the Titiwangsa and Bintang mountain ranges, offers breathtaking views of lush rainforests along its 120km stretch. But behind the thick foliage lining both sides of the road, deep ravines await the careless. Not to mention the surprises from wildlife, such as monkeys and wild boars, that sometimes dart across suddenly, risking collisions. This highway is not the only route connecting the east coast, west coast and northern regions of Peninsular Malaysia. Motorists can opt to use the Simpang Pulai-Gua Musang route but due to its longer distance, most

the route had just claimed 15 lives. Past experiences reminded the writer how challenging the highway can be, especially for those unfamiliar with it. Just a few kilometres out of town, the road’s condition began to show. At one bend, the writer almost lost control of the vehicle due to uneven road patchwork. The road was not just undulating, it was riddled with potholes, some deep enough to trap a vehicle’s tyre. Even worse, sharp corners appeared suddenly without warning signs. In several places, the road was extremely narrow, barely enough to pass oncoming traffic, and pitch dark due to the lack of streetlights.

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