An aerial view of traffic congestion at Kea Farm market.
Kea Farm market in Cameron Highlands, Pahang should be relocated as it is causing traffic congestion, says Cameron Highlands Environmental Awareness Association (REACH).
Its member K. Selvarajoo said the market’s present site was no longer suitable and the area also lacked parking space.
Visitors are sometimes forced to park their vehicles haphazardly along the road, which is the main reason for traffic congestion there.
“Besides the lack of parking bays (for cars), there is also no parking space for buses in the area,” Selvarajoo said, noting that buses would be parked by the roadside and would cause a traffic jam.
“Imagine the situation faced by elderly tourists.
“Not only are the buses parked by the roadside, these tourists also have to cross the busy road to get to the market.
“They would then have to carry their goods back to the bus,” he said, adding that tourists’ safety was at stake.
Selvarajoo suggested that the market at Kea Farm be relocated to a more suitable site with sufficient parking bays for tour buses and cars.
“The stalls at Kea Farm are disorganised and not aesthetically pleasing.
Another view of cars moving slowly in Brinchang, mainly caused by traffic congestion in Kea Farm. — Photos courtesy of REACH
“Some (stalls) are built with plastic and zinc materials.
“I think the market is also in need of an upgrade,” he said.
Alternatively, Selvarajoo said more parking bays should be constructed within the area to resolve the problem.
Other locations with parking problems include Tringkap, Brinchang and Tanah Rata, he added.
During the Pahang State Assembly on Sept 5, state local government committee chairman Datuk Mohammad Fakhruddin Mohd Ariff had said that traffic congestion at tourist spots in the highlands, especially Kea Farm, were being addressed.
He was reported to have said that a carpark project had been approved by the Cameron Highlands District Council and would be carried out in two phases.
“The first phase will involve 516 bays and is set to be completed by February 2025, while the second phase will involve 543 bays, depending on the need and requests.”
Mohammad Fakhruddin also said a RM122mil allocation had been approved to upgrade the stretch of road between the former Time Tunnel Museum site and for a new roundabout in Brinchang.
He added that a one-way traffic loop system would also be introduced at Kea Farm.
