Wang Kelian Free-flow Zone Pilot Project Postponed After Landslides

KANGAR, Dec 3 (Bernama) -- The pilot implementation of the Wang Kelian Free-Flow Zone, initially slated from Dec 12 to March 31 next year, has been postponed after landslides occurred at 11 points along the main route linking Wang Kelian to Wang Prachan, Thailand, during last week’s floods.

Perlis Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli said the proposal to delay the project was tabled during a coordination meeting with technical departments and enforcement agencies on Monday.

He said the state government fully supports the postponement due to safety concerns and will determine a new date once the route is certified safe.

“Based on assessments by the Perlis Public Works Department (JKR), conditions at the affected sites are unsafe. JKR has advised that the route remain closed, except to light vehicles.

“Repair works are underway and are expected to take 12 months to complete,” he told a press conference after chairing the state Exco meeting at Seri Putra Complex here today.

Mohd Shukri said the Immigration director-general had ordered the closure of the Wang Kelian Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex on Nov 23, pending safety clearance.

Travellers heading to Thailand via Perlis are advised to use the Padang Besar ICQS instead.

He said the state government is also considering a special “free-flow route” between Kampung Wang Kelian and Wang Prachan to ensure villagers can access essential supplies.

“However, this proposal is still at the preliminary stage and will be refined by the relevant authorities,” he said.

For now, the Wang Kelian border road is open only to light vehicles weighing under three tonnes, with movement strictly monitored by enforcement agencies to ensure public safety.

-- BERNAMA