More than one million Hindu devotees and tourist, including visitors from outside Penang and foreign travellers, are expected to descend on the state this weekend for the Thaipusam celebrations, prompting police to implement an extensive security and traffic management operation.
To ensure public safety and smooth traffic flow, 1,280 police personnel will be deployed across key locations throughout the celebrations, according to Timur Laut district police chief ACP Abdul Rozak Muhammad. Speaking at a press conference at the district police headquarters, Abdul Rozak said a Rapid Deployment Team (Cantas) has also been activated to conduct continuous crime prevention monitoring during the three-day event.
Thaipusam will be observed on Sunday, but the traditional gold, and silver chariot processions will begin a day earlier on Saturday. The gold chariot is scheduled tod depart at 6AM from Lebuh Queen, followed by the silver chariot at 7AM from Lebuh Penang, with both processions making their way to the Waterfall Temple.
As part of the preparations, several roads will be closed in stages from 10AM on Saturday until midnight on Monday, covering a 6.5-kilometer route used for the chariot processions to and from the temple. The affected roads include Jalan Gottlieb, Lorong Air Terjun, Jalan Kebun Bunga, Taman Gottlieb, Jalan Burma, Jalan Wright, Jalan D.S. Ramanathan, Jalan Brown, Jalan Brother James, Jalan Park, Jalan Utama, Jalan Brook, Lebuh Campbell and Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman.
Abdul Rozak said the return journeys of the chariots are expected to take place on Monday evening, with the gold chariot beginning it’s 9.1KM journey a 6PM from the Waterfall Temple back to Lebuh Queen, while the silver chariot will start it’s 8.7KM return route at 7PM to Lebuh Penang. Police have urged members of the public to plan their travel early, adhere to instructions from officer on duty and remain patient to minimise congestion during peak periods.
As a precautionary measure, Abdul Rozak also advised the public to avoid wearing excessive gold jewellery to reduce the risk of theft and to maintain proper decorum throughout the celebrations to ensure the comfort and safety of all participants. He added that the use of drones is strictly prohibited unless prior approval ahs been obtained from the civil authorities, citing concerns that they could be misused to carry dangerous items.
“The public is advised to comply with all laws and regulations during the celebration. Firm action will be taken against those who fail to do so,” he said.
Sources: Malay Mail
