HAUNTED ROAD: JALAN RAYA GERIK - JELI

Jalan Raya Timur-Barat (JRTB) Gerik-Jeli, Federal Route 4.

The sign says it all:

Selamat Datang ke Jalan Raya Timur Barat.

Gerik 112 km / Pulau Pinang 284 km / Alor Setar 364 km

Opened in 1982, it cuts straight through the Banjaran Titiwangsa virgin jungle. No streetlights, no villages for 100 km+, thick fog, and still wild elephants crossing. That's why it's ranked as one of the most dangerous AND most haunted highways in Malaysia.

Why people say it's haunted:

1. Bukit Buloh — the hotspot

Local drivers from Kg Pahit between Gerik & Kroh say there's one stretch called Bukit Buloh. In the story there, your car suddenly becomes super heavy. Even dropping to gear 3 going downhill, the car doesn't want to move forward.

2. The overtaking car that disappears

Classic JRTB story: in the middle of the night, a car follows close behind you like it wants to overtake. You give way, it overtakes — then it vanishes straight into the darkness. Leaving you alone on the road.

3. The Woman on the Bridge.

On Jalan Sumpitan (the shortcut route in the same network), drivers report seeing a woman standing alone on a bridge at midnight, face covered by hair.

4. General JRTB vibe

The highway is famous for wild elephants crossing, thick fog, and no lighting at night. Many drivers report seeing shadows that shouldn't be there or hearing strange sounds in the silence of the night. Even bathing at the river wakaf shelter near the Jeli side, many say it feels eerie.

Locals say because the road was built by cutting through old jungle, JKR lost many workers during construction in the 70s, plus a lot of fatal accidents—including the recent UPSI bus crash at KM53.

Tips if you want to drive through:

• Don't go through after 10pm alone if you can avoid it. If you have to, fill up a full tank in Gerik or Jeli; there is no petrol station in between.
• Don't honk at elephants — in a recent case police reported a driver stopped and turned off his headlights because elephants were crossing.
• Keep spotlight/fog lamps on, phone with offline maps, and don't entertain it if you see something by the roadside.

References:

1. Nazz & Co: 10 Jalan Raya Paling Bahaya & Seram di Malaysia - Berani Lalu?.
2. Aerill.com: Kisah Seram: Lebuhraya Timur-Barat (Gerik).

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

27 October 2026: 4:45 a.m.