Road signs in Malaysia
Encyclopedia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n and Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese practice in road sign design, with diamond-shaped warning signs and circular restrictive signs to regulate traffic. Signs usually use the FHWA Series fonts
FHWA Series fonts
The FHWA Series fonts are a set of sans-serif typefaces developed by the United States Federal Highway Administration and used for road signage in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australia, Spain, The Netherlands, Turkey, Brazil and New Zealand. The fonts were created to maximize legibility at a...
(Highway Gothic) typeface also used in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, anathough some signs on recently completed expressways use Transport Heavy
Transport (typeface)
Transport is a sans serif typeface designed for road signs in the United Kingdom. It was created between 1957 and 1963 by Jock Kinneir and Margaret Calvert as part of their work as designers for the Department of Transport's Anderson and Worboys committees....
(cf. the second image shown to the right).
Malaysian traffic signs use Malay
Malay language
Malay is a major language of the Austronesian family. It is the official language of Malaysia , Indonesia , Brunei and Singapore...
, the official and national language
National language
A national language is a language which has some connection—de facto or de jure—with a people and perhaps by extension the territory they occupy. The term is used variously. A national language may for instance represent the national identity of a nation or country...
in Malaysia. However, English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
is also used for important public places such as tourist attractions, airport
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
s, railway stations and immigration checkpoint
Civilian checkpoint
Civilian checkpoints or Security checkpoints are distinguishable from border or frontier checkpoints in that they are erected and enforced within contiguous areas under military or paramilitary control...
s. Both Malay and English are used in the road signs that are located along the Pengerang Highway (Federal route ), which links Kota Tinggi
Kota Tinggi
Kota Tinggi is a town in the state of Johor of Malaysia, located around 42 kilometers north-east of Johor Bahru, on the road to Mersing. Hometown of Azizul Hanipah. Kota Tinggi can also be reached by ferry from Changi terminal in Singapore where tourists need to pass through the immigration check...
to Sungai Rengit
Sungai Rengit
Sungai Rengit is a town in southeastern Johor, Malaysia, located near Pengerang. It can be reached from Singapore by boat from the ferry terminal at Changi Village....
in Johor
Johor
Johor is a Malaysian state, located in the southern portion of Peninsular Malaysia. It is one of the most developed states in Malaysia. The state capital city and royal city of Johor is Johor Bahru, formerly known as Tanjung Puteri...
state and Genting Sempah-Genting Highlands Highway
Genting Sempah-Genting Highlands Highway
The Genting Sempah-Genting Highlands Highway, Federal Route is a main highway from Genting Sempah to Genting Highlands, Malaysia's famous mountain resort and entertainment parks.-History:...
which links Genting Sempah
Genting Sempah
Genting Sempah or Sempah Pass is a transit town and also a mountain pass on the border of Pahang and Selangor in Malaysia. Genting Sempah is mostly known as a transit point to Genting Highlands....
to Genting Highlands
Genting Highlands
Genting Highlands otherwise known as Resorts World Genting is the flagship integrated resort developed by Genting Group. It is nestled on a mountain peak within the Titiwangsa Mountains on the border between the states of Pahang and Selangor of Malaysia...
.
According to the road category under 333 Act, the Malaysian Road Transportation Act 1987, chapter 67, blue traffic signs are used for federal, state and municipal roads. Green signs are used for toll expressways or highways
Malaysian Expressway System
The Malaysian Expressway System , which begins with the North-South Expressway , is currently in the process of being substantially developed...
only. State roads
Malaysian State Roads system
Malaysian state roads are the secondary roads in Malaysia. The construction of state roads in Malaysia are funded by Malaysian Public Works Department of each states...
use letters. For example, Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan, one of the 13 states that constitutes Malaysia, lies on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, just south of Kuala Lumpur and borders Selangor on the north, Pahang in the east, and Malacca and Johor to the south....
, Melaka and expressways use letters E. Federal Roads
Malaysian Federal Roads System
Malaysian Federal Roads System , is the main national road network in Malaysia. All Federal Roads in Malaysia are under the purview of Ministry of Works . According to Minister's Function Act 1969, MOW responsible to plan, build and maintain all Federal Roads gazetted under the Federal Road Act 1959...
only use number
Number
A number is a mathematical object used to count and measure. In mathematics, the definition of number has been extended over the years to include such numbers as zero, negative numbers, rational numbers, irrational numbers, and complex numbers....
s and digit
Numerical digit
A digit is a symbol used in combinations to represent numbers in positional numeral systems. The name "digit" comes from the fact that the 10 digits of the hands correspond to the 10 symbols of the common base 10 number system, i.e...
s, for example Federal Route . However, federal road numbers can also be added with the prefix before the route number, which is normally used by the Malaysian Public Works Department
Malaysian Public Works Department
Malaysian Public Works Department ' or Jabatan Kerja Raya Malaysia ' is the federal government department in Malaysia under Malaysian Ministry of Works which is responsible for construction and maintenance of public infrastructure in Malaysia such as federal and state roads, public government...
(JKR) and Malaysian police
Royal Malaysian Police
The Royal Malaysia Police is a part of the security forces structure in Malaysia. The force is a centralised organization with responsibilities ranging from traffic control to intelligence gathering. Its headquarters is located at Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur. The police force is led by an...
. For example, Federal Route can also be written as Federal Route .
Expressway
| Examples | Information | Number digits |
|---|---|---|
| Expressway route numbers | E01 - E99 | |
| Expressway exit numbers | EXIT 201 - EXIT 299 EXIT 1100 - 1199 |
Federal
| Examples | Information | Number digits |
|---|---|---|
| Main federal route numbers | 001 - 249 | |
| Institutional facilities federal roads | 250 - 479 | |
| Federal road exit numbers | EXIT 201 - EXIT 299 | |
| Main federal route numbers (Sarawak) |
1-1 - 1-59 3-1 - 3-99 1000 - 9999 |
|
| Main federal route numbers (Sabah) |
A01 - A99 | |
| Main federal route numbers (Labuan) |
700 - 799 | |
| FELDA/FELCRA federal route numbers | 1000 - 1999 2000 - 2999 |
|
| Industrial federal route numbers | 3000 - 3999 |
State
| Examples | Information | Number digits |
|---|---|---|
| Johor Johor Johor is a Malaysian state, located in the southern portion of Peninsular Malaysia. It is one of the most developed states in Malaysia. The state capital city and royal city of Johor is Johor Bahru, formerly known as Tanjung Puteri... state route numbers |
J001 - J999 | |
| Selangor Selangor Selangor also known by its Arabic honorific, Darul Ehsan, or "Abode of Sincerity") is one of the 13 states of Malaysia. It is on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and is bordered by Perak to the north, Pahang to the east, Negeri Sembilan to the south and the Strait of Malacca to the west... state route numbers |
B001 - B999 | |
| Negeri Sembilan Negeri Sembilan Negeri Sembilan, one of the 13 states that constitutes Malaysia, lies on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, just south of Kuala Lumpur and borders Selangor on the north, Pahang in the east, and Malacca and Johor to the south.... state route numbers |
N001 - N999 | |
| Sabah Sabah Sabah is one of 13 member states of Malaysia. It is located on the northern portion of the island of Borneo. It is the second largest state in the country after Sarawak, which it borders on its southwest. It also shares a border with the province of East Kalimantan of Indonesia in the south... state route numbers |
SA001 - SA999 |
Tolled expressway and highway signs
| Expressways |
Malaysian toll expressway
Controlled-access highway
A controlled-access highway is a highway designed exclusively for high-speed vehicular traffic, with all traffic flow and ingress/egress regulated...
and highway
Highway
A highway is any public road. In American English, the term is common and almost always designates major roads. In British English, the term designates any road open to the public. Any interconnected set of highways can be variously referred to as a "highway system", a "highway network", or a...
signs are green
Green
Green is a color, the perception of which is evoked by light having a spectrum dominated by energy with a wavelength of roughly 520–570 nanometres. In the subtractive color system, it is not a primary color, but is created out of a mixture of yellow and blue, or yellow and cyan; it is considered...
and are only suitable for toll expressways and highways. No blue signs for toll expressway and highways are required. These antartican toll expressway and restroom signs have a simple code:-
- JKR hexagon-shaped highway shieldHighway shieldA highway shield is a sign denoting the route number of a highway, usually in the form of a symbolic shape with the route number enclosed. As the focus of the sign, the route number is usually the sign's largest element, with other items on the sign rendered in smaller sizes or contrasting colours...
with expressway/highway code signs are blackBlackBlack is the color of objects that do not emit or reflect light in any part of the visible spectrum; they absorb all such frequencies of light...
and yellowYellowYellow is the color evoked by light that stimulates both the L and M cone cells of the retina about equally, with no significant stimulation of the S cone cells. Light with a wavelength of 570–590 nm is yellow, as is light with a suitable mixture of red and green...
. - Green with whiteWhiteWhite is a color, the perception of which is evoked by light that stimulates all three types of color sensitive cone cells in the human eye in nearly equal amounts and with high brightness compared to the surroundings. A white visual stimulation will be void of hue and grayness.White light can be...
signs for expressway names of closed toll systems.
| LEBUHRAYA SPRINT |
- YellowYellowYellow is the color evoked by light that stimulates both the L and M cone cells of the retina about equally, with no significant stimulation of the S cone cells. Light with a wavelength of 570–590 nm is yellow, as is light with a suitable mixture of red and green...
with black letters signs for expressway names of opened toll systems.
| LEBUHRAYA PANTAI TIMUR |
- White with black letters signs for expressway names of closed toll systems.
PLUSLINE 1800-88-0000 |
Malaysian expressway codes with highway concessionaires' logo and SOS hotline
Non-tolled Federal, state and municipal roads
| Federal roads State roads |
Malaysian road signs are blue
Blue
Blue is a colour, the perception of which is evoked by light having a spectrum dominated by energy with a wavelength of roughly 440–490 nm. It is considered one of the additive primary colours. On the HSV Colour Wheel, the complement of blue is yellow; that is, a colour corresponding to an equal...
and have a simple code:-
- JKR hexagon-shaped highway shieldHighway shieldA highway shield is a sign denoting the route number of a highway, usually in the form of a symbolic shape with the route number enclosed. As the focus of the sign, the route number is usually the sign's largest element, with other items on the sign rendered in smaller sizes or contrasting colours...
with highway code signs are blackBlackBlack is the color of objects that do not emit or reflect light in any part of the visible spectrum; they absorb all such frequencies of light...
and yellowYellowYellow is the color evoked by light that stimulates both the L and M cone cells of the retina about equally, with no significant stimulation of the S cone cells. Light with a wavelength of 570–590 nm is yellow, as is light with a suitable mixture of red and green...
- Blue with whiteWhiteWhite is a color, the perception of which is evoked by light that stimulates all three types of color sensitive cone cells in the human eye in nearly equal amounts and with high brightness compared to the surroundings. A white visual stimulation will be void of hue and grayness.White light can be...
letters signs for federal, state and municipal roads.
| Jalan Raja Laut |
- Blue with orangeOrange (colour)The colour orange occurs between red and yellow in the visible spectrum at a wavelength of about 585–620 nm, and has a hue of 30° in HSV colour space. It is numerically halfway between red and yellow in a gamma-compressed RGB colour space, the expression of which is the RGB colour wheel. The...
letters for road names.
| PERSIMPANGAN JALAN TEMPLER |
| SUSUR KELUAR MAJLIS LINK |
- White with Black letters for exit signs (Usually at Federal HighwayFederal Highway, MalaysiaFederal Highway, or Lebuhraya Persekutuan in Malay is a Malaysian highway connecting the capital city of Kuala Lumpur, and Klang, Selangor. The highway starts from Seputeh in Kuala Lumpur to Klang, Selangor...
)
Border signs
Border signs in Malaysia are greenGreen
Green is a color, the perception of which is evoked by light having a spectrum dominated by energy with a wavelength of roughly 520–570 nanometres. In the subtractive color system, it is not a primary color, but is created out of a mixture of yellow and blue, or yellow and cyan; it is considered...
for state
States of Malaysia
Malaysia is a federation which consists of thirteen states and three federal territories . Eleven states and two federal territories are located on the Malay Peninsula while the remaining two states and one federal territory are on the island of Borneo.-The states and federal territories:Malaysia...
and blue
Blue
Blue is a colour, the perception of which is evoked by light having a spectrum dominated by energy with a wavelength of roughly 440–490 nm. It is considered one of the additive primary colours. On the HSV Colour Wheel, the complement of blue is yellow; that is, a colour corresponding to an equal...
for district
District
Districts are a type of administrative division, in some countries managed by a local government. They vary greatly in size, spanning entire regions or counties, several municipalities, or subdivisions of municipalities.-Austria:...
.
Sempadan Negeri SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN |
Sempadan WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN KUALA LUMPUR |
State border signs
SEMPADAN DAERAH KUALA SELANGOR |
 Sempadan Daerah Polis PETALING |
District border signs
Important signs
These are other important signs in Malaysia such as government institutions and tourist destinations.| ULU TIRAM |
| Tapah Road |
| ماراڠ Marang |
- WhiteWhiteWhite is a color, the perception of which is evoked by light that stimulates all three types of color sensitive cone cells in the human eye in nearly equal amounts and with high brightness compared to the surroundings. A white visual stimulation will be void of hue and grayness.White light can be...
with blackBlackBlack is the color of objects that do not emit or reflect light in any part of the visible spectrum; they absorb all such frequencies of light...
letters for towns and other settlements.
| ↑ Agensi Angkasa Negara (ANGKASA) |
- GreenGreenGreen is a color, the perception of which is evoked by light having a spectrum dominated by energy with a wavelength of roughly 520–570 nanometres. In the subtractive color system, it is not a primary color, but is created out of a mixture of yellow and blue, or yellow and cyan; it is considered...
with orangeOrange (colour)The colour orange occurs between red and yellow in the visible spectrum at a wavelength of about 585–620 nm, and has a hue of 30° in HSV colour space. It is numerically halfway between red and yellow in a gamma-compressed RGB colour space, the expression of which is the RGB colour wheel. The...
letters for government institutions.
| Masjid Negara (National Mosque) |
| Air Terjun Kota Tinggi |
- White with green letters and MaroonMaroon (color)Maroon is a dark red color.-Etymology:Maroon is derived from French marron .The first recorded use of maroon as a color name in English was in 1789.-Maroon :...
with white letters for tourist destinations.
Warning signs
Malaysian warning signs are diamond shaped and are yellowYellow
Yellow is the color evoked by light that stimulates both the L and M cone cells of the retina about equally, with no significant stimulation of the S cone cells. Light with a wavelength of 570–590 nm is yellow, as is light with a suitable mixture of red and green...
and black in colour.
Regulatory signs
Malaysian Regulatory signs are round with white backgrounds, red borders, and blue pictograms. Mandatory instruction signs are round with blue backgrounds and white pictograms except for the stop sign and the yield sign.Construction signs
| KAWASAN PEMBINAAN -- m DI HADAPAN |
The construction signs in Malaysia are diamond shaped and are orange
Orange (colour)
The colour orange occurs between red and yellow in the visible spectrum at a wavelength of about 585–620 nm, and has a hue of 30° in HSV colour space. It is numerically halfway between red and yellow in a gamma-compressed RGB colour space, the expression of which is the RGB colour wheel. The...
and black in colour.
Road Name Sign
Road name sign in Malaysia have many different colours and styles according the local authority to design with them.Bridge-related signs
| FT001/222/0047 |
Bridge numbers
River signs
| SG DAMANSARA |
| SG REMBAU |
Highway concessionaires border limit
| Had Sempadan Penyelengaraan PLUS Expressways Berhad |
Sempadan Penyelengaraan |
Sign vocabulary
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
is still used for important directional signs such as CIQ checkpoints, airports and tourist attractions. Below are the translations for the road signs except for the stop sign which is written in English STOP
Stop sign
A Stop sign is a traffic sign to notify drivers that they must stop before proceeding.-Specifications:The Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals proposed standard stop sign diameters of 0.6, 0.9 or 1.2 metres. UK and New Zealand stop signs are 750, 900 or 1200 mm, according to sign...
:
- ARAH = Bound
- Example: ARAH UTARA = North Bound
- UTARA = North
- SELATAN = South
- BARAT = West
- TIMUR = East
- AWAS = Caution
- KAWASAN KEMALANGAN = Accident Area
- KAWASAN KAMPUNG = Village area
- SELEKOH BAHAYA DI HADAPAN = Sharp corner ahead
- KURANGKAN LAJU = Reduce Speed
- SIMPANG KE = Junction to
- SUSUR KELUAR KE = Exit to
- SUSUR MASUK KE = Entry to (usually at weighing bridge)
- PEMBINAAN DI HADAPAN = Construction ahead
- PEMBINAAN TAMAT = End of construction
- BERHENTI = Stop
- JALAN SEHALA = One Way
- BERI LALUAN = Give Way (Yield)
- ZON HAD LAJU DIHADAPAN = Speed Limit Zone ahead
- HAD LAJU KEBANGSAAN = National Speed LimitsNational Speed LimitsHad Laju Kebangsaan is a set of speed limits applicable on Malaysian expressways, federal roads, state roads and municipal roads. The National Speed Limits was enforced on 1 February 1989 following the National Speed Limit Orders 1989 ...
- HAD KETINGGIAN = Height limit
- JALAN = Road
- LEBUH RAYA = Expressway / Highway (Avenue = usually in PenangPenangPenang is a state in Malaysia and the name of its constituent island, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca. It is bordered by Kedah in the north and east, and Perak in the south. Penang is the second smallest Malaysian state in area after Perlis, and the...
only for example Peel Avenue become Lebuh Raya Peel) - LEBUH = Street
- PERSIARAN = Drive
- LORONG MEMOTONG DI HADAPAN = Overtaking lane ahead
- IKUT KIRI KECUALI MEMOTONG or IKUT KIRI JIKA TIDAK MEMOTONG = Keep Left Unless Overtaking
- KENDERAAN BERAT SILA IKUT KIRI = Heavy vehicles, please keep left
- KENDERAAN --- KELUAR/MASUK DIHADAPAN = --- Vehicles In/Out ahead
- KECUALI KECEMASAN = Except Emergency
- PERLAHAN = Slow/Slow Down
- LAMPU ISYARAT DI HADAPAN = Traffic lights ahead
- HENTIAN SEBELAH = Layby
- KAWASAN REHAT DAN RAWAT (R&R) = Rest and Service Areas
- PLAZA RESTORAN DAN REHAT (R//R) = Restaurant and Rest Plazas
- STESEN MINYAK = Petrol Station
- KECEMASAN = Emergency
- RESTORAN JEJANTAS (OBR) = Overhead Bridge Restaurant (OBR)
- TEROWONG = Tunnel
- PERSIMPANGAN BERTINGKAT/PERSIMPANGAN = Interchange
- SUSUR KELUAR = Exit
- NYALAKAN LAMPU ANDA or SILA NYALAKAN LAMPU = Turn on your headlamps/Please turn on headlamps
- ANGIN LINTANG = CrosswindCrosswindA crosswind is any wind that has a perpendicular component to the line or direction of travel. In aviation, a crosswind is the component of wind that is blowing across the runway making landings and take-offs more difficult than if the wind were blowing straight down the runway...
- GUNAKAN GEAR RENDAH = Shift to lower gears
- LALUAN MOTOSIKAL = Motorcycle laneMotorcycle laneMotorcycle lane is a main term for special lane for small vehicles such as motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, trishaw and many more.- Malaysia :...
- GUNAKAN LORONG MOTOSIKAL = Use motorcycle lane
- KAWASAN SEKOLAH = School area
- AIR TERJUN = Waterfall
- PANTAI = Beach
- KOMPLEKS SEJARAH = Historical Complex
- MASJID = Mosque
- WISMA/BANGUNAN = Building
- LAPANGAN TERBANG = Airport
- LAPANGAN TERBANG ANTARABANGSA = International Airport
- LITAR LUMBA = Racing Circuit
- PUSAT KHIDMAT PELANGGAN = Customers Service Centre
- PUSAT PENERANGAN PELANCONGAN = Tourist Information Centre
- JAMBATAN = Bridge
- JAMBATAN TIMBANG = Weighing Bridge
- PLAZA TOL = Toll PlazaToll roadA toll road is a privately or publicly built road for which a driver pays a toll for use. Structures for which tolls are charged include toll bridges and toll tunnels. Non-toll roads are financed using other sources of revenue, most typically fuel tax or general tax funds...
- STESEN KERETAPI = Railway Station
- TANDAS = Toilet
- TELEFON = Telephone
- BANGUNAN IBUSAWAT TELEFON = Telephone exchange building
- MENARA = Tower
- STESEN PENGUATKUASAAN JABATAN PENGANGKUTAN JALAN = Road Transport Department Enforcement Station
- TANJUNG = Cape
- TELUK = Bay
- PULAU = Island
- SUNGAI = River
- PARIT = Canal
- PINTU AIR = Water gate
- KAWASAN TENTERA = Armed forces base area
- KAWASAN LARANGAN = Prohibited area
- KAWASAN BANJIR = Flood area
- KAWASAN KEMALANGAN = Accident prone area
- ZON PERANGKAP HAD LAJU = Speed trap zone
- PASTIKAN JARAK KENDERAAN ANDA 5 METER DARI KENDERAAN HADAPAN = Keep a distance of 5 meters from the car in front of you
See also
- Integrated Transport Information SystemIntegrated Transport Information SystemThe Integrated Transport Information System is a traffic management system in Klang Valley, Malaysia. The system began operation on 2005 with the cooperation of Kuala Lumpur City Hall , Malaysian Highway Authority, Malaysian Public Works Department and the Ministry of Transport Malaysia...
- Malaysian Expressway SystemMalaysian Expressway SystemThe Malaysian Expressway System , which begins with the North-South Expressway , is currently in the process of being substantially developed...
- Malaysian Federal Roads systemMalaysian Federal Roads SystemMalaysian Federal Roads System , is the main national road network in Malaysia. All Federal Roads in Malaysia are under the purview of Ministry of Works . According to Minister's Function Act 1969, MOW responsible to plan, build and maintain all Federal Roads gazetted under the Federal Road Act 1959...
- Malaysian Public Works DepartmentMalaysian Public Works DepartmentMalaysian Public Works Department ' or Jabatan Kerja Raya Malaysia ' is the federal government department in Malaysia under Malaysian Ministry of Works which is responsible for construction and maintenance of public infrastructure in Malaysia such as federal and state roads, public government...
- Malaysian Road Transport DepartmentMalaysian Road Transport DepartmentThe Malaysian Road Transport Department ' ' is a government department under the Malaysian Ministry of Transport...
- National Speed Limits
- PuspakomPuspakomEstablished in 1994, Pusat Pemeriksaan Kenderaan Berkomputer, Puspakom is the first Malaysian computerized vehicle inspection center. Puspakom is currently main inspection center for commercial vehicles throughout Malaysia....
- Transportation in Malaysia