The highway connects Gerik, Perak in the west to Jeli, Kelantan in the east, before being extended further to Lunas, Kedah.

[3] The construction of the highway was one of the largest projects undertaken by the JKR and its completion adds to the large mileage of roads in the country providing necessary access to new areas and the infrastructure for development works.

Traveling along the gentle curves one climbs higher and sees on either side the primary jungle rich with timber.

Halfway along the highway the elevation of the road is over 1,100 m (3,600 ft) above sea level and the weather cool and pleasant.

The highway will provide the access for the extraction of timber from the jungles along the road and help boost tourism among Malaysians as well as foreigners.

Thr highway is one of dangerous routes in malaysia due to condition of roads causing many record of traffic collision and natural disaster.

The construction of the East–West Highway FT4 was proposed by then first Malaysian Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj in 1964.

[6] The highway was initially planned to be built from Sungai Siput, Perak to Kuala Berang, Terengganu before being changed to the present-day routing from Gerik to Jeli.

It was known as Security and Development, or KESBAN, the local acronym (Program Keselamatan dan Pembangunan), and focused on civil military affairs.

In early 1970, work started, simultaneously from Gerik and Jeli even before any detailed design or investigations were carried out.

The worst incidents happened in two separate attacks by the communist terrorists 1974, resulting 3 deaths among the JKR workers and many construction machines were destroyed.

[3] The successful completion of the East–West Highway is the result of the sacrifice of workers who had to carry out their jobs under difficult and challenging conditions.

[5] The Malaysian Public Works Department (JKR) East–West Highway Monument was erected at a site near Sri Banding Army Camp on 1 July 1982, where a raid by the communist terrorists that killed three JKR workers and injured some other workers, to commemorate those who died during construction of the East–West Highway with lake bridge.

The plaques reads "Pengorbanan Dalam Kenangan, Jalan Raya Timur Barat (1970–1982)" ("The Greatest Sacrifice, East West Highway (1970–1982)").

[14] In 2015, this monument was refurbished and later it was officially reopened on 2 July 2015 by the Works Minister, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof in conjunction of the highway's 33rd anniversary.

The gallery is set up at the former Malaysian Army military sentry bunker and situated near Belum Rainforest Resort and west side of Lake Temenggor Bridge at Pulau Banding.

[16][17] Many historical artifacts during Communist insurgency in Malaysia (1968–89) are exhibited here such as military bunkers, guard post replicas, weapons, uniforms and many more.