Road closures in George Town for Miaohui preparations


King Street in George Town is among the streets that will be closed for the Miaohui event. — Filepic

SEVERAL streets in George Town’s heritage precinct will be closed in phases for the Penang Chinese New Year clan celebration (Miaohui) on Feb 1.

From now until 7pm on Jan 31, King Street (between Bishop Street and Light Street) will be partially closed to traffic to facilitate the assembly of the main stage in front of Wisma Great Eastern.

The second phase will involve the closure of King Street, Bishop Street, Church Street, Penang Street, China Street, Pitt Street, part of Ah Quee Street, Soo Hong Lane, Cannon Street and Armenian Street from 7pm on Jan 31 to 2pm on Feb 1.

From 2pm to 11.59pm on Feb 1, all those streets will be closed except for Chulia Street.

Penang Cultural Inheritors Society (Inheritors) chairman Kwoh Shoo Chen advised those heading for the celebrations to carpool or use public transport or e-hailing services.

“We have designated parking. Our map indicate the roads that will be closed and the location of parking spots.

“Details are available on the Penang Miaohui 2025 Facebook page,” she said during a press conference at Armenian Park.

She added that there would be Rela personnel to direct motorists and the crowd on the day of the event.

This will be the 26th edition of the Penang Miaohui celebration, which started in 1999.

The event is expected to include the Year of the Snake mascot named Ruyi.

Organised by the Penang Chinese Clan Council (PCCC) in collaboration with Inheritors as its planning and coordination partner, the event from 4pm to 11pm will see activities by over 40 clans, guilds and associations.

The event is expected to draw about 200,000 visitors and will showcase the rich heritage of Penang’s Chinese community through traditional performances such as lion dances, Chinese opera and cultural demonstrations that include calligraphy, paper-cutting, and tea ceremony.

Visitors can also enjoy vibrant street parades, traditional food stalls, and interactive activities associated with Chinese traditions.

Twenty-three organisations will be staging cultural performances on 14 stages, in addition to 200 interactive booths.

Eighty stalls will be serving food and drinks.

Penang Island mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said the event played an important role in sustaining and promoting the local cultural heritage.

He urged motorists to plan their journey by using the alternative routes.

“Penang Island City Council (MBPP) also hopes that the event’s attendees will consider using public transport, to reduce traffic congestion around the enclave,” he said.

Rajendran reminded visitors to avoid using single-use plastics, like plastic straws, and urged them to use the 38 rubbish bins provided by MBPP.

Also present were PCCC chairman Ho Swee Choon, his deputy Ong Oon Lye, event master planner Chong Jian Mei, MBPP secretary Cheong Chee Hong and MBPP’s Heritage Conservation Department director Lee Tit Kun.

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