SHAH ALAM, Sept 4 — The persistent delay in Section 4 of the West Coast Expressway (WCE), a crucial stretch linking the Federal Highway to the North Klang Straits Bypass (NNKSB), is driving up logistics costs and hampering economic efficiency along the Klang-Shah Alam route, said the Association of Malaysian Hauliers (AMH).
AMH secretary-general Mohamad Azuan Masud said prolonged congestion on one of the country’s busiest corridors has not only increased companies’ operating costs, including fuel consumption, drivers’ working hours and vehicle maintenance, but also heightened the risk of delayed deliveries.
“For the haulage industry, time is (money). A lorry that should be able to make several trips a day may lose one or more trips due to congestion. This ultimately affects the productivity of the overall supply chain,” he told Media Selangor.
He added that the delay has placed particular pressure on Klang and Port Klang, key hubs for Selangor’s logistics, trade and industrial activities, where heavy vehicles, commercial transport and private motorists rely on the same road network.
WCE Holdings Bhd announced on March 9, 2026, that Section 4 would be opened before Aidilfitri to temporarily ease congestion for motorists travelling between Petaling Jaya, Subang, Shah Alam and Klang, but it remains closed.
On August 19, the concessionaire said the entire WCE alignment is expected to be operational by early 2027, with Sections 3 (KESAS to Federal Highway) and 7 (Assam Jawa to Tanjong Karang) the only ones still under construction.
WCE Holdings said Section 4, meanwhile, would be opened with Section 3.
Haulage disruptions
Azuan said the biggest impact of the delayed opening of Section 4 is uncertain travel times, which could result in container trucks missing scheduled slots at terminals, depots or delivery locations, disrupting entire operating schedules.
“AMH previously received feedback from drivers that congestion in (Port Klang) can exceed 2km and take about 30 minutes.
“Congestion along critical routes could increase fuel consumption by 15 to 25 per cent per trip, depending on traffic conditions.”
However, Azuan said AMH cannot provide a specific estimate of economic losses from Section 4’s delay without comprehensive traffic and economic studies, as the actual cost would depend on factors like the number of vehicles, duration of delay, fuel consumption, maintenance, and port and industrial activity.
He added that the opening of Section 4 should not be viewed as just a road project, but as a step towards boosting productivity and reducing logistics costs.
“With better connectivity, industrial and business areas can gain more efficient access to Port Klang and other areas.”
He urged authorities to expedite the opening of Section 4 for the benefit of all road users, provided all safety, technical and regulatory requirements are met.
“For hauliers, we would rather pay tolls and have a smoother alternative route than continue to be stuck in congestion every day,” added Azuan.
WCE links Selangor’s Banting to Perak’s Taiping. It connects to major routes like the PLUS, South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE) and North Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE) to ease traffic and connect major ports.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari had said the highway would be a major catalyst in bridging the development gap between rural and urban areas, especially in northern Selangor.
