JOHOR BARU: Johor police are expecting heavy traffic at major roads and highways in the state 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 (March 23).
State police chief Comm Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat said they will deploy officers and personnel to ensure smooth travelling for road users in the coming days.
“The Muslims, especially, are expected to travel back to their hometowns to welcome the first day of Ramadan with their loved ones.
“Besides having traffic personnel, we will also deploy members of other departments and police stations to help ease congestion at major roads and highways during the period,” he said when contacted on Wednesday (March 22).
He urged those who will be taking advantage of the long weekend to go back to their respective hometowns to inform the nearest police station to ensure that their homes will be safeguarded.
Meanwhile, Comm Kamarul Zaman also said members of the police force will be stationed at bazaars and 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 that will see traffic crawls and will be assigning personnel and officers there,” he said, adding that the police will also be working closely with local councils and Rela during the month-long period.
The state government has declared a replacement holiday for March 26 (Sunday) if the first day of Ramadan coincides with Sultan Ibrahim's birthday, which is on March 23.
It has always been a practice in Johor to have the first day of Ramadan as a public holiday.
With the state adopting the Friday-Saturday weekend, it will be a four-day weekend holiday in Johor from Thursday (March 23).
