Disclaimer: In Real Life is a platform for everyday people to share their experiences and voices. All articles are personal stories and do not necessarily echo In Real Life’s sentiments.
It’s hard to get anywhere without driving here in Malaysia. Whether it’s to get to work or for fun times with friends, you’re probably going to have to drive.
I know people who have to commute for work and they wake up at 6AM to leave their home before 7AM in anticipation of the morning rush. It just makes work that much more stressful when you have to face the hellish work commute.
Here are some of the common issues Malaysians face:
1. Traffic jams… traffic jams everywhere
Source: Shahnaz Fazlie Shahrizal
No matter where you live, you probably have to face more than one traffic jam to get anywhere at any time. Even at 11AM, when roads have cleared, we are still braced for the possibility of a jam on highways like the Federal.
Most households have more than one vehicle too, which goes to show how important it is to have a car (or bike) to get around. And on top of PTPTN loans, lots of people willingly add a car loan because you really can’t go anywhere without a car.
2. Parking is always an issue
The other day, I thought about having lunch in SS15. It was so jam-packed that we spent over an hour looking for parking and still couldn’t find a spot! We even tried that parking building but there wasn’t any space there either. We ended up ditching our SS15 plans to go to a mall because we were sick of looking for a parking spot.
Yeah, it really does get that bad here. What we experienced isn’t anything new to Malaysians.
3. Our first to last mile connectivity is simply awful
Unless you live right next to an LRT or MRT station that brings you directly to wherever you want to go, then the first to last mile connectivity is a problem that plagues you.
First mile connectivity describes how difficult it is for Malaysians to access public transport. Let’s say you live someplace like Taman Melawati. Your nearest LRT stations could be anywhere from Gombak to Sri Rampai. But how do you get there?
And then another problem is the last mile connectivity. So you’re now on the LRT, but your workplace is in Bukit Bintang. Depending on where it is, you might decide to walk all the way from KLCC or you might want to switch to the Monorail. The easiest way to do this is to head on to KL Sentral and then jump on the Monorail there, but it’s still a roundabout way of getting to work…
So yeah, even the public transport we have isn’t very intuitive.
Malaysia has very little urban planning despite developments
Many of us own cars, but out of necessity. I mean, plenty of us would love to not have the commitment of a car loan and not have to bother with the expense of car upkeep. But the sad truth is that unless you own a car or live right next to the LRT/MRT, you really won’t get anywhere on time.
Here’s what I wish Malaysia was like instead:
1. Pedestrian friendly
Imagine if we had walkways. Lots of Malaysians actually love walking and jogging around (in the evening). Places like Subang, with a bit more urban planning, have lots of walkways in its tamans, and you see tonnes of aunties and uncles who enjoy this feature.
Source: The Star
It would also be nice if there were more features that emphasised accessibility so that those who are disabled or elderly could also feel included.
2. Reliable public transport
A 30 minute car ride can turn into a 2 hour plus adventure if you venture into our public transport system. Instead of public transport being a reliable means of getting somewhere, many Malaysians simply prefer to travel by car. And who can blame them, when public transport can be such a terrible experience? You’re either packed in like sardines or you’re making your travel time much longer.
3. Better urban development and planning
Shahrinnahar Latib
I really wish that Malaysia took strategic urban planning and development seriously, instead of just building things willy-nilly. Did you know that when done right, it can really improve the quality of life of residents? When done strategically, designing a city that prioritises the people who live within it, brings massive benefits to the table: more greenery, repairing roads in a way that contributes to its long term use, and even helping develop the economy!
There have been a lot of improvements in public transportation here, like the addition of the MRT line
But we have a long way to go. East Malaysia still lags behind Peninsular Malaysia in terms of infrastructure, for example, and the Klang Valley is densely populated area with the traffic jams from hell.
Yes, it’s a lot better than some places, but it could also be better.
For more stories like this, read: You’re Not Rich Even If You Studied Overseas – The Brutal Truth About Malaysia’s REAL Rich, Ready For The CNY Sales? Here’s How You’ve Been Manipulated Without Even Realising, and Is Your Favourite Local Small Business Taking Advantage Of Their Workers?.
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