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Following a major landslide that occurred at KM52.4 on the KL-Karak Expressway (E8), work is currently underway to clear the debris and mud off the affected 500 m-stretch of the expressway. As a result, the stretch between Genting Sempah, Bukit Tinggi and Bentong will be closed to all traffic until Saturday (November 14) to facilitate these efforts.

According to Bentong police chief, Supt Mohamad Mansor Mohd Nor, the reopening of the stretch is dependent on weather conditions and information from slope experts. Speaking to The Sun Daily, Mansor said, “if the mudslide recurs, we may have to extend the closure of the expressway.”

Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadhillah Yusof, when speaking to Bernama, said a report on the cause of the landslide is expected to be ready in another two weeks. The report would be prepared by a team of experts after a thorough investigation on the incident is complete.

“Let’s wait for our experts to finish their investigation, it involves an area of two kilometres into the forest, so it may take up to two weeks to prepare the documentation,” he told the news agency.

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The closure also extends to the trunk roads between Genting Sempah and Bentong, which were also hit by a separate mudslide. Traffic reporters have provided alternative routes if your travels involve the affected roads.

Firstly, motorists coming from KL will have to make mandatory U-turn at KM38 at Genting Sempah and will not be able to proceed further. Meanwhile, those from Bentong will not be able to come down towards the Karak Expressway (KL bound), and will instead need to head up north towards Raub.

Motorists originating from Raub who are looking to head towards KL will need to proceed towards Tapah in order to get onto the PLUS Highway via Cameron Highlands. Alternatively, they can head to Kuala Kubu Baru through Frasers Hill.

Those travelling from Terengganu or Kuantan will need to exit at Gambang and head towards Muadzam Shah to join the Jalan Segamat Kuantan stretch. This will bring them to Bahau and ultimately Kuala Pilah, where they will proceed to Senawang or Seremban. From there, they can opt for the PLUS Highway to get to KL.

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