GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has issued an advisory to premises operating along the dual chariot procession routes to refrain from openly selling liquor.
The three-day advisory, from today until Friday, is a mark of respect for the ongoing three-day Thaipusam celebrations and to ensure they are celebrated in an orderly and peaceful manner.
MBPP mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said a notice dated Monday issued to the premises between Lebuh Queen and Jalan Air Terjun was merely an advisory note and not for enforcement purposes.
"It is an advisory only. We hope the restaurant operators act responsibly. We do not intend to take action.
"However, selling liquor openly around the chariots' routes, especially outside the premises, should not be condoned," he told the New Straits Times when contacted.
Rajendran said MBPP officers were going around the chariots' routes this morning just to advise the operators.
"We will not enforce unless the liquor is sold openly," he stressed.
Several premises in the popular Chulia Street here had expressed shock after being served with the notice to refrain from selling liquor for three days during the ongoing Thaipusam celebrations.
Confusion arose after some claimed to have received the notice while others said they did not, wondering if they, too, should stop selling the liquor.
The three-day state-level Thaipusam celebrations kicked off to a dynamic and colourful start today with the dual chariot procession, a hallmark of Thaipusam in Penang.
Continuing with age-old traditions, the golden and silver chariots took to the streets here early this morning, accompanied by thousands of devotees.
On Sunday, Penang Hindu Endowment Board (PHEB) chairman RSN Rayer advised the public to refrain from consuming alcohol, setting off firecrackers and blaring pop and cinematic music; more so, they are coming for a religious event.