KUALA LUMPUR, April 8 -- For many Malaysians, heavy traffic is often associated with festive seasons.

But that is changing.

Even outside Hari Raya, Chinese New Year or Deepavali, congestion has become a more regular part of daily life. Long weekends, school holidays, and even typical weekday commutes are now enough to put sustained pressure on highways and urban roads.

What used to feel seasonal is starting to look constant.

Highway operators continue to manage peak periods with measures such as Smart Lanes and travel advisories. These help, but they are largely short term responses to a growing volume of vehicles on the road.

The strain is most noticeable at familiar choke points, especially as traffic flows back into the Klang Vall...