Photo courtesy of Malay Mail What looked like snow on part of the Shah Alam Expressway was soap foam brought back to the surface by heavy rain, police said after the unusual scene drew attention online. A 500-metre stretch affectedThe white foam was reported at about 3.10pm on Wednesday along roughly 500 metres of the Kuala Lumpur-bound side of the Shah Alam Expressway, or Kesas, between kilometres 30 and 30.5. Videos circulated on social media showing a white coating across the road, marked by tyre tracks from vehicles that had already passed through it. Shah Alam district police chief Assistant Commissioner Sarudin Samah said the foam was linked to residue from a lorry spill near the Kota Kemuning slip road on August 24. The vehicle had entered Kesas in the direction of Klang after the spill occurred. Rain reactivated remaining residueFirefighters initially treated the affected stretch by spreading sawdust to remove the soap residue, according to the police account. Heavy rain more than a week later caused what remained to produce foam again across part of the highway. The highway concessionaire carried out a second round of cleaning, which police said was completed at 4.58pm. The incident attracted particular concern from road users after reports that the surface had become slippery, especially for motorcyclists. What it means for foreigners in MalaysiaFor drivers, riders and visitors unfamiliar with local weather conditions, the episode is a reminder that heavy rain can quickly change road safety on Malaysian expressways. If an unusual substance, flooding or debris is visible on the carriageway, slow down, keep extra distance and avoid sudden braking or steering. Motorcyclists are especially exposed on slick surfaces. Follow official traffic updates where available and report hazards through the appropriate emergency or road operator channels rather than stopping in a live lane to film them. 4 September 2026
