GEORGE TOWN – The Penang govt has urged tourists and devotees alike to plan their travel ahead and preferably carpool to avoid severe traffic congestion this weekend due to a wide range of festivals happening in the state.
As the state welcomes Thaipusam and Chap Goh Mei celebrations which jointly fall on February 4 and 5 respectively, state executive councillor Zairil Khir Johari urged motorists to take extra precautions to travel through the roads.
His call came following reports that up to 1.5 million visitors will converge at Penang to celebrate the festivals.
With major roads on the island expected to be sealed off to traffic, Zairil said carpooling, utilisation of public transport and even brisk walking are encouraged so the visitors will not be caught up in congestion here.
Zairil, who oversees the infrastructure portfolio, said Penang will do its utmost best to ease traffic flow, but road users can also help themselves by taking precautions and relying on public transport.
Thanneermalai Shree Balathandayuthabani Temple chairman Datuk Seri P. Kuvena Raju had said that up to 1.5 million devotees and tourists are expected for Thaipusam after some three years of lockdowns due to Covid-19.
“We expect a big turnout of 1.5 million devotees for the three days as we expect more people will want to fulfil their vows since it was disrupted for the past two years, so it will be a challenge for us to conduct the festival in the best way.
“This year, Thaipusam falls on the weekend, while Monday will be a holiday. We do expect devotees from Medan, Jakarta and Singapore to participate in the Penang procession. We even got devotees from the UK.”
As the Lunar New Year celebration reaches its 15th day in the Hokkien calendar, which is also seen as the Chinese Valentine Day celebrations, Penang have also witnessed other similar festivals prior to usher in the Year of the Rabbit.
The ninth day of the Lunar New Year is regarded as the Jade Emperor’s birthday (Thnee Kong Seh), which is when thousands of devotees showed up.
It is a major celebration for the Hokkien people in Penang. This year, it was held on a grand scale after two years of muted affairs due to the pandemic.
Penang DAP leaders – chairman Lim Guan Eng, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow who is the party vice president, DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang, Tanjong MP Lim Hui Ying, as well as Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen, were among many dignitaries who attended the event.
It was held at its traditional place of the Chew Jetty where the ancestors of the Hokkiens first came ashore to Penang during the colonial era.
Legend has it that in China, the Hokkien people were once saved from their enemies when they hid in a sugar cane plantation.
Since then, sugar canes are a “must” in their worship out of thankfulness, and also for the protection of the Jade Emperor for their narrow escape. – The Vibes, February 1, 2023
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