Kuala Lumpur Braces for ASEAN Summit 2025: Major Road Closures and Citywide Impact
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – The Malaysian capital is undergoing extensive preparations as it hosts the 46th ASEAN Summit from May 23 to 28, 2025. The high-profile event, which brings together Southeast Asia’s top leaders, has prompted authorities to implement sweeping road closures and traffic diversions across the Klang Valley, affecting daily commutes, airport access, and business operations.
Extensive Road Closures Across Klang Valley
From May 23 until May 28, six major highways and 25 key roads in and around Kuala Lumpur are being closed in phases to facilitate the secure and efficient movement of delegates. The closures, announced by the Royal Malaysia Police’s Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department, affect routes leading to Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC), major hotels, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Subang Airport, and Istana Negara.
Key affected highways include:
- Elite Highway (KLIA–Putrajaya)
- MEX Highway (Putrajaya–KL)
- New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE, Subang to Jalan Duta)
- Guthrie Corridor Expressway
- North–South Expressway (Sungai Buloh to Jalan Duta)
- KL–Seremban Expressway (Sungai Besi to city centre)
Major city roads impacted:
- Jalan Parlimen
- Jalan Kuching
- Jalan Sultan Ismail
- Jalan P. Ramlee
- Jalan Tun Razak
- Jalan Ampang
- Jalan Bukit Bintang
- Jalan Imbi
- Jalan Istana
- Jalan Damansara, among others
Closures are being enforced daily between 8 AM and 8 PM, with additional restrictions during high-security windows as delegations move between venues, hotels, and the airport. Some intersections and city center roads face complete lockdowns during key summit events.
Disruptions for Commuters, Travelers, and Businesses
The summit’s return to Kuala Lumpur—rather than the administrative capital Putrajaya—is intended to showcase the city’s development since it last hosted the event a decade ago. However, the decision has brought significant disruption for residents and travelers. Passengers heading to KLIA and Subang Airport are advised to allow extra travel time, use public transport where possible, and check for real-time updates via navigation apps and official channels.
Airport workers, ride-hailing drivers, and logistics providers have reported missed flights and financial stress due to the lack of consolidated information and the scale of the closures. With KLIA handling over 57 million passengers in 2024, even minor disruptions have a ripple effect across tourism, logistics, and business continuity.
Areas and Landmarks Most Affected
KLCC and City Centre: The summit venue and its surroundings—including the Petronas Twin Towers, Ampang Park, and major shopping malls—are under frequent lockdowns, with heavy police presence and intermittent closures.
Hartamas and Diplomatic Zones: Roads near Istana Negara, embassies on Jalan Ampang and Jalan Tun Razak, and government complexes face heightened security and are difficult to access.
Shopping and Tourism Hotspots: Popular malls such as Suria KLCC, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, and those along Jalan Bukit Bintang are experiencing access difficulties and intermittent closures.
Authorities’ Advice and Contingency Plans
Authorities are urging the public to plan journeys well in advance, use public transport, and avoid affected routes wherever possible. Commercial and heavy vehicles are barred from entering the KLCC area during closures to minimize congestion and risk of accidents. AirAsia and other airlines have advised passengers to arrive at least two to three hours before departure and to use self-check-in options to avoid delays.
Looking Ahead
The road closures have reignited calls for better transport integration and real-time traffic management in Kuala Lumpur. Despite existing frameworks like the National Transport Policy 2019–2030 and the Smart Selangor Action Plan 2025, the summit has highlighted gaps in mobility coordination and information dissemination during major events.
As the summit continues, authorities remain on high alert, with full traffic deployments and daily updates to ensure the safety and smooth movement of all participants and residents. The city’s ability to manage this large-scale event is seen as a test of its readiness for future international gatherings.