GEORGE TOWN: Penang police have confirmed that the silver chariot procession by the Nattukottai Chettier Temple this morning in conjunction with Thaipusam was approved by the National Security Council (NSC).
State police chief Datuk Sahabudin Abd Manan said police had taken the necessary actions to ensure that no untoward incident happened during the movement of silver chariot from the Kovil Veedu at Penang Street to the Nattukottai Chettiar Temple at Jalan Air Terjun here.
"It was not a procession, but a movement of the silver chariot. Since it had received approval from the NSC, the police carried out our duties to ensure it ran smoothly.
"We also ensured that there was no traffic disruption during the movement at 3.30am, and everything proceeded well," he said today.
Sahabudin said the silver chariot was taken on a 7km journey, slightly shorter than in the previous years of about 9km.
It started at Penang Street and proceeded to Lebuh Chulia, Jalan Transfer, Jalan Burma, Jalan Anson, Jalan Macalister (against traffic flow) towards Jalan Utama before ending at the Nattukottai Chettiar Temple.
Sahabudin said for the journey back on Friday, the silver chariot would use the same route and it would be supervised by police.
It will not make any stops along the way, like this morning.
Meanwhile, Sahabudin advised the public not to gather or tail the silver chariot or risked facing compound if they fail to adhere to the standard operating procedure (SOP) set.
"We have also informed the organiser that only 10 people are allowed to accompany the silver chariot on its way back.
"This morning, they have strictly adhered to the SOP."
The chariot was accompanied by 10 temple committee members, in compliance with the SOP.