Malaysia will continue to rely on highways as a key part of its transportation network, but fewer new roads are expected to be built in the future as the country shifts towards a more integrated and efficient public transport system.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said highways remain vital to Malaysia’s infrastructure and economic growth. However, he noted that building more roads can no longer be seen as the default solution to traffic congestion.
Speaking to the New Straits Times, Nanta said roads would still be necessary in the coming decades, although their importance may gradually be complemented by other forms of transportation.
“I don’t think we can safely say we won’t need roads in the next 50 years. Roads will still be needed, but perhaps not as many because there will be other transport options available,” he said.
Nanta stressed that Malaysia’s future transport strategy should focus on developing a public transport network that is affordable, safe, convenient and efficient enough to encourage more people to leave their cars and motorcycles at home.
He said affordability remains a crucial factor, as people are unlikely to switch to public transport if costs are too high.
According to him, a comprehensive public transport system would reduce the need for continuous road expansion and help create a more balanced transportation ecosystem.
On the issue of toll highways, Nanta said tolls are likely to remain as removing them would place a significant financial burden on the government.
“If tolls are abolished, the government will have to bear the cost of maintaining the roads, and that requires billions of ringgit,” he said.
He explained that future highway management models should allow concessionaires to operate without relying on excessively high toll rates to repay debts, while ensuring road maintenance responsibilities do not fall entirely on public funds.
Nanta also pointed to major transportation projects such as the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) as examples of how rail networks can drive economic development and improve connectivity across different regions.
He noted that Sarawak is also planning rail links connecting rural areas to major cities, highlighting how Malaysia’s transport future will likely involve a combination of highways, rail systems and other modes of travel rather than a single dominant solution.
While cooperation already exists between the Works Ministry and the Transport Ministry, Nanta believes stronger collaboration is needed to create a more detailed and coordinated national transportation blueprint, particularly in areas outside the Klang Valley.
Looking ahead, he said the Intelligent Transport System (ITS) Blueprint 2030 will play a major role in transforming Malaysia’s transportation landscape through the use of advanced technology and data-driven planning.
Nanta described data management as one of the biggest challenges in implementing smarter transportation systems, noting that effective planning depends heavily on accurate and reliable information.
He said the main challenge is ensuring that systems operated by federal agencies, state governments, local authorities, highway concessionaires and enforcement bodies can communicate and share information in real time.
Referring to the TomTom Traffic Index 2025, which recorded Kuala Lumpur’s congestion level at around 43 per cent, Nanta said smarter traffic management solutions are increasingly necessary to address urban congestion.
He also highlighted Malaysia’s collaboration with Bloomberg Philanthropies through the Bloomberg Initiative for Global Road Safety. A pilot Safe School Zone project at SJK(T) Ladang Gadong in Banting reportedly reduced vehicle speeds near the school by up to 22 per cent, making the area safer for students.
Malaysia is also expected to participate in the ITS World Congress in South Korea later this year, where it will showcase local achievements while learning from global developments in smart traffic management, artificial intelligence and connected infrastructure.
“Technology must serve the people. Intelligent transport systems are not about innovation for its own sake, but about creating safer roads, reducing travel times, improving public services and enhancing the quality of life for Malaysians,” he said.
