KUALA LUMPUR: Nineteen roads leading to Dataran Merdeka here will be closed in stages from 6am to 1pm for six days beginning Aug 26 to facilitate Merdeka Day performance rehearsals and the celebration itself.
The announcement was made by Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Amar Singh during a press conference today.
"Those most affected will be motorists from Bangsar and Kajang.
"Those coming from Bangsar can use Jalan Parlimen and Jalan Kuching, and enter the city via Jalan Sultan Ismail as an alternative to coming through Jalan Travers.
"Those coming from Kajang can use Jalan Hang Tuah, Jalan Kinabalu and Jalan Kuching to enter the city via Jalan Sultan Ismail," Amar said during a briefing at the KL police contingent headquarters.
He urged the public to avoid the morning rush hour during this period by using public transportation to get to work.
Meanwhile, Amar announced that two roads leading to the Bukit National Stadium will be closed from 6am to 1am on Aug 30 for the closing ceremony of the Sea Games.
Affected roads are Jalan Merah Cagar and Jalan Putra.
Amar gave the public a “thumbs up” for opting to use public transport during the opening ceremony on Saturday.
"The traffic we had to deal with was manageable," he said.
He said he hopes that the 100,000 people set to attend the closing ceremony will also opt for public transportation.
"There is no parking at the complex and those who plan to park illegally around the stadium will have their vehicle towed," he said.
Amar added that shuttle bus services will be available from the Selangor Turf Club and the Technology Park Malaysia at 15 minute intervals.
He also said that LRT services will be operational from 6am to 2am at a frequency of six to eight minutes.
There will also be additional bus services to the complex, from 5pm to 8pm, and from the complex back to major bus terminals and stops.
The locations include KLCC, Kajang, Greenwood Gombak, Section 14 Shah Alam, Platform C Pasar Seni, Nu Sentral, Ampang Point and Putrajaya.