Motorists Utilise Malalak Agam Route Despite Limited Access
Malalak, Agam Regency — Several motorists are utilising limited access to Malalak Road in Agam Regency, West Sumatra, which serves as an alternative route linking Padang City and Bukittinggi City to shorten travel time.
Monitoring by ANTARA on Tuesday at kilometre marker 82+700 revealed rows of motorcyclists passing through with various cargo, ranging from backpacks and cardboard boxes to mudik (Eid exodus) necessities placed on the sides or front of vehicles.
Beyond mudik travellers, numerous residents also chose this route to avoid congestion on the main roads. This was evident from riders carrying only light baggage, whilst some transported tinned cakes typical of Eid.
Motorists appeared to travel cautiously as sections of the roadway spanning 200-300 metres had collapsed. A replacement route has been constructed and remains under completion.
Compared to ANTARA’s observation on Monday (16 March), traffic volume on Malalak Road on Tuesday showed an increase.
Budi Setia, Health, Safety, Security and Environment Supervisor at PT Hutama Karya Infrastruktur (HKI), explained that Malalak Road was indeed passable for vehicles. However, he stressed that the route could only be used outside operational hours and exclusively for local residents.
The road could only be traversed when workers were on break, from 12:00 to 13:00 WIB, or after heavy equipment ceased operation, from 17:00 WIB until before 08:00 WIB.
“The Koto Mambang-Malalak route via Balingka is not yet safe to open because there are still areas prone to landslides,” said Budi.
Nevertheless, the high interest from residents in using this alternative route demonstrates the vital role of Malalak Road in connecting these two West Sumatran cities, particularly during periods of heightened mobility such as the Eid exodus season.
The West Sumatra Police Directorate will implement one-way traffic management on the main provincial route connecting Padang City and Bukittinggi City during the Eid exodus season. The one-way system to anticipate vehicle congestion will be enforced on 19-20 March and continued on 22-24 March 2026. The first checkpoint is located at Sicincin Toll Exit Junction, and the second checkpoint is at Padang Junction, Padang Panjang.