Heading out for Wesak Day in Penang tomorrow? Plan your route, skip the firecrackers

GEORGE TOWN, May 30 — The Penang police have prohibited the public attending the Wesak Day celebration and procession tomorrow from playing with firecrackers and fireworks, said the state police chief Datuk Azizee Ismail.

Azizee said that any individual caught doing so can be prosecuted under Section 8 of the Explosives Act 1957.

In terms of safety, the public is advised not to wear jewellery that could attract the attention of criminals and to maintain proper behaviour to avoid causing any discomfort to others.

“The act of playing with firecrackers and fireworks is completely prohibited, and any individual who disobeys can be prosecuted under Section 8 of the Explosives Act 1957,” he said when contacted by Bernama today.

He said that in addition, the use of drones during the Wesak Day celebration is also not allowed unless approved by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM).

He said the public is also advised to plan their journeys earlier and use alternative routes to avoid getting caught in traffic congestion during the Wesak Day celebration.

“The public is also advised to use public transportation to help with a smoother traffic flow, and road users are reminded not to park their vehicles on the road side, which can cause traffic obstruction, and to comply with the instructions of the officers on duty to ensure the smooth movement of vehicles,” he said.

The Wesak Day celebration in Penang will take place tomorrow, and more than 15,000 Buddhists and visitors are expected to attend to celebrate the occasion.

Penang Wesak Day organising committee chairman Datuk Dr Loh Hock Hun was reported to have said that preparations for Wesak Day celebration started two weeks’ ago to ensure everything goes smoothly, and the lighting ceremony will take place tonight.

He was reported to have said that 23 decorated floats will enliven the procession in conjunction with this year’s Penang-level Wesak Day celebration themed “Bridging Through Digital, Cultivating Wisdom Together.”

The police also announced that several roads will be closed in stages tomorrow, starting from 6 pm until completion, which is around midnight that day, to make way for the Wesak Day procession.

The procession route involves Jalan Burmah (start), Jalan Pangkor, Jalan Kelawai, Lorong Burmah, Jalan Burmah, Jalan Perak (against the flow of traffic), Lebuhraya Peel (against traffic flow), Jalan Macalister (against the flow), Jalan Perak (against the flow), Jalan Anson (against the flow), Jalan Macalister, Lorong Madras, and back to Jalan Burmah. — Bernama