Asia's First Toll Highway is in Slim River

Perak is known as the first state to receive technology and facilities in the country, from the British colonial era to independence. This time, orangperak.com will touch upon the first toll plaza in Malaysia and the Asian region.

When we talk about highways or comfortable major roads in this country, we naturally think of the Klang Valley, which has many highways. However, did you know that the first toll highway in Malaysia, and indeed the first toll road system in the Asian region, is located in our beloved state of Perak?

The road connecting Slim River to Tanjung Malim was opened in March 1964. This 24 km dual-carriageway was named the Tanjung Malim - Slim River Highway.

The highway was opened in 1964 to replace the old, winding 33 km road that connected the two towns. It was known as Jalan Slim Village. The Tanjung Malim - Slim River Highway is located along Federal Route 1. This alignment is the first federal road connecting Johor Bahru to Perlis and was completed in 1909. This first toll system charged RM1.00 for cars, RM2.00 for heavy vehicles such as lorries and buses, and RM0.50 for motorcycles before the construction of the North-South Expressway (PLUS). Initially, the government charged tolls for both directions of travel, but after some time, the government only charged tolls for one direction, which was from Slim River to Tanjung Malim.

The North-South Expressway, which began construction in 1988, was finally completed in early 1994. With the completion of the new highway, the government finally decided to abolish toll collection on the Slim River - Tanjung Malim Highway in April 1994, and the status of this road was changed to a federal road. The former toll plaza area is now the Slim River R&R, and its building has been converted into a JKR storage facility.