KUALA LUMPUR: Do not use the Thaipusam celebrations as an excuse to flout traffic laws, police have warned.
Kuala Lumpur traffic police investigation and traffic law officer Deputy Supt S. Markandan also said several roads would be closed to make way for the procession from the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Jalan Tun H.S. Lee to Batu Caves.
The roads will be closed and reopened in stages between 10pm Friday and Saturday evening for the first procession from the Sri Maha Mariamman temple.
For the second procession from Batu Caves, the routes will be closed and reopened in stages between 4pm Monday and early Tuesday.
The routes affected will be Jalan Tun H.S. Lee, Jalan Sultan, Jalan Pudu, Jalan Tun Perak, Jalan Leboh Ampang, Jalan Ampang, Jalan Munshi Abdullah, Jalan Dang Wangi, Sogo Shopping Complex, Jalan Raja Laut, Jalan Sri Amar, Jalan Tun Razak (u-turn in front of the Fire and Rescue Department), Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Jalan Konvil Hilir, Lorong Konvil Hulu, Jalan Perhentian, Batu 5 and Batu Caves.
DSP Markandan, speaking in a press conference at the City Traffic Police headquarters here Wednesday, said the roads will be closed in stages from 4pm Friday to make way for preparations for the Thaipusam celebrations.
He urged road users, including those celebrating Thaipusam, to make note of the road closures and plan their travel accordingly.
“If possible, use public transportation to get to your destination. I understand that there will be transportation provided for the celebrations.
“Don’t park your vehicles on the designated routes. By obstructing traffic, you risk getting summoned or having your vehicles towed away.
“No exceptions will be made during the celebrations. Traffic offenders will be dealt with. We mean business,” he said.
DSP Markandan said 85 traffic policemen would be on duty along the routes to ensure smooth traffic flow and keep road users safe at all times.
In a separate matter, DSP Markandan said traffic officers will be deployed on Saturday for the planned anti-Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) rally in Dataran Merdeka.
“We will release the details of ours programme for the rally soon. We will have traffic policemen around to ensure smooth flow,” he told reporters.
Keyword: KL road closures for Thaipusam procession