By Rosli Khan
It has been quite a while since I last visited Kuantan.
On my return recently, I was struck by how much this once-sleepy riverside town has transformed itself – and in many ways, for the better.
What I saw was a city that has been shaped with clear intent – not for cars or concrete only, but for the comfort and enjoyment of its people.
Reclaiming public spaces
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Kuantan today offers a refreshing contrast to many Malaysian towns plagued by traffic, congestion, poor planning and scant attention to pedestrian infrastructure.
Here, the city breathes. It interacts with its river, Sungai Kuantan, which has become a central feature – not hidden or ignored like most urban rivers in Malaysia – but activated and celebrated.
A serene river cruise is now on offer, bringing people closer to the water, fronted by magnificent riverside landscape similar to Kuching.
A bold and high bridge links the city to Tanjung Lumpur, a traditional fishing village that has smartly retained its rustic charm while embracing its role as a seafood haven.
In the heart of the city lies a spacious green lung; a central field that truly comes alive in the evenings. This is not a dead open space like those you often see fenced up and underutilised elsewhere. Here, two full-sized football pitches draw players of all ages, from schoolboys to working adults – late into the night under proper floodlighting.
It’s city community participation in action, with streets that welcome, not intimidate.
But perhaps what impressed me most was how the city has managed to get its basics right.
Traffic flow has been thoughtfully planned, using a one-way loop system that keeps vehicles moving without the frustration of Kuala Lumpur-style gridlocks.
There is an observable sense of order – rare in many Malaysian cities where chaos often reigns on the roads.
Pedestrian crossings are clearly marked out, and more importantly, respected. Unlike parts of Bukit Bintang where pedestrians are often forced to dodge cars, here motorists actually stop to allow people to cross. That’s how you build a walkable city; not just by painting zebra lines but by cultivating a culture of respect and responsibility.
Street lighting is sufficient, contributing to both safety and ambience when the sun goes down.
Jalan Besar, once a busy and uninspiring traffic route, has been repurposed into a charming art street and heritage zone, dotted with modern cafes, boutique shops and restaurants. The vibe is somewhat reminiscent of Jonker Street in Melaka; but less touristy and more authentic.
However, strategically placed speed humps are needed to ensure motorists don’t treat this heritage corridor as a fast shortcut.
The street’s design encourages walking, lingering and community interaction – all critical elements in creating liveable cities.
What’s missing?
Perhaps, and I hope, a serious public transport vision is in the pipeline.
This one major urban flaw, similar to many other urban capitals, remains – the absence of a cohesive public transport system. Kuantan is still heavily car-dependent. For a city with such a compact and people-friendly layout, this is a missed opportunity.
A modern tram system or even a bus rapid transit (BRT) line would do wonders to link the riverside, the city centre, Telok Chempedak and future growth areas. It would provide locals and tourists alike with convenient, low-carbon mobility, reduce dependence on cars, and enhance urban sustainability.
This should be part of any future masterplan; especially if Kuantan aspires to be more than just a stopover town.
Misstep in connectivity?
This brings me to the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL).
While Kuantan has been assigned two stations – one at Kuantan Port and the other at KotaSAS, the placement raises questions.
KotaSAS is a new township some 12km west of the city centre. While it may serve future development and administrative needs, it does little for the people living and working in the heart of Kuantan.
The port station, meanwhile, caters more to freight and industrial logistics.
What’s glaringly missing is a proper ECRL stop within the actual city centre itself. A central station would have provided greater access and higher ridership, and encouraged transit-oriented development. It would have also allowed seamless integration between intercity travel and local transport, once the latter is implemented.
Without a city-centre station, Kuantan residents will be forced to drive to KotaSAS, defeating the very purpose of public rail investment.
A future city centre station or a spur line into the heart of the city must be seriously considered.
A city with plenty of untapped potential, Kuantan is not without its attractions.
Its heritage royal library and museum, riverside walk, river cruise, seafood haven and Telok Chempedak beach remain crowd-pullers. These are backed by many five-star hotels that have stood the test of time and are now rejuvenated with more facilities.
The string of attractive beach resorts along the northern coast, stretching to Cherating, continues to draw weekend traffic from the Klang Valley and a sizeable number of visitors from our southern neighbour.
With more thoughtful planning, Kuantan could become the model for mid-sized Malaysian cities – compact, vibrant and sustainable.
What it needs now is better connectivity, especially for those without cars, including foreign tourists.
A tram or BRT system linking key areas, plus a future direct ECRL link into the city, could finally cement Kuantan as a truly liveable city – one that’s built not just for businesses or developers, but for its own people. – Free Malaysia Today
Rosli Khan, a traffic planning consultant, has a masters in transport planning and a PhD in transport economics from Cranfield University in England.
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