KL companies allow staff off work early to avoid road closures and traffic jams

KUALA LUMPUR: Employees of several companies in the city centre were given the option of leaving from work early yesterday to avoid being caught in traffic jams caused by road closures in preparation for the planned rallies today.

Police roadblocks were mounted along several major routes leading in and out of the capital in preparation of planned gatherings by several groups today.

A man who only wanted to be identified as Gary said his colleagues working at their office in Bangunan Getah Asli opposite KLCC were allowed to leave at about 4.30pm by their department head.

“But a quarter of my colleagues had taken leave today to avoid the traffic jams from roadblocks as well,” he said yesterday.

It was also reported that national oil and gas company Petronas had asked its employees to leave at 4pm yesterday while employees of telco company Celcom at Jalan Tun Razak were also allowed to leave early by their bosses.

Meanwhile, it was business as usual for employees working at MidValley.

Assistant researcher Julian Lim, 25, said there had been no change to working hours.

“My company did send out an advisory informing employees about roadblocks and traffic congestion,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Meanwhile, Malayan Banking Berhad (Maybank) has suspended banking services at 12 of its branches and Maybank Forex service outlets due to road closures today.

Maybank made the announcement through its maybank2u.com website.

However, the ATM and other self service terminals will remain open at the affected branches and locations.

Customers affected by the above closure are advised to undertake their banking transactions at any other Maybank branch or self-service terminal.