Malaysian Road Traffic Signs

Road traffic signs in Malaysia generally follow the international standards used in Europe, but there are a few which have been tailored for local conditions. This one is my favourite:

Malaysian-Road-Traffic-Sign

It informs users of this busy urban dual carriageway that bullock carts, trishaws, pedal-powered food carts and bicycles are not permitted.

The chances of seeing a bullock cart these days are rare. I recall seeing some in Malacca about 25 years ago. They were used to ferry tourists around the padang. They’ve gone now. This may be the only bullock cart left in Malacca:

Bullock-cart-Melaka

Trishaws have all but disappeared too as a means of transport. There are a few in the main tourist area of Melaka for selfie purposes. This working trishaw was spotted in Penang a few years back:

Trishaw-Penang Food carts are still around but they too are under threat as urban councils tighten up on hygiene laws and parking spaces. I snapped this photo in Muar some time ago (probably would cost a lot more than RM 3 today):

Food-cart-Muar

It’s a shame to see these icons of traditional culture disappearing from modern Malaysia, to be replaced by sanitised shopping malls, food trucks and Uber cars. All that’s left is the road sign as a reminder of what has been lost.

One thought on “Malaysian Road Traffic Signs”

  1. Dear TT,

    Very interesting, and as you point out, it is a sad reminder of what is being lost culturally. Especially the street food carts.

    For your amusement (and feel free to post on), here is a sign seen in the Menara Tower KL when we visited back in 2008:

    Best wishes

    Robert Marshall

    Peterborough UK

Leave a comment