GEORGE TOWN: Several roads in the city will be closed on Feb 12 in conjunction with the Lantern Festival organised by the Penang state government.
Organising committee chairman, Ng Wei Aik said the road closure involves Jalan Lebuh Pantai, Lebuh Gereja, Lebuh King, Lebuh Penang and Lebuh Union which would be closed from 7pm to 12 midnight.
Jalan Padang Kota Lama and Lebuh Armenian here would also be closed from 12 noon to 12 midnight as the streets would be turned into a festival ground and parking lots for VIPs, he said.
“The festival will take up a vast area and the public must be aware of the areas affected by the road closure,” he told a press conference here today adding that the public would be restricted from parking their vehicles at Jalan Tun Syed Barakbah from 9pm to 12 midnight but allowed to park at designated sites to avoid traffic congestion and disruption.
“Vehicles not heading for the festival area may use Jalan Sungai Pinang, Jalan Perak and Jalan Batu Feringghi to reduce traffic in the town areas.”
Ng said the authorities would not take enforcement action against vehicles parked on road shoulders as long as they do not cause traffic congestion.
However, he said action would be taken against individuals who disrupt traffic flow.
The lantern festival is being organised in collaboration with the Penang City Council, Engineering and Enforcement departments, the Royal Malaysian Police and Rapid Penang. --Bernama