GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has activated Ops Payung to manage and prevent traffic congestion, particularly at major tourist attractions, during the school holiday period.
Mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said the operation will be carried out at key locations across the island.
“At Penang Road, traffic control will involve three checkpoints at Chowrasta Market, Jeruk Madu Shop and the area in front of Keng Kwee Street, operating from 1pm to 5pm.
“Another location is Penang Hill, where two checkpoints will be activated from noon to 6pm,” he told The Star on Thursday (Dec 25).
Rajendran said Ops Payung will also be implemented at Pesta Pulau Pinang, focusing on congestion management and traffic obstruction, with enforcement officers deployed daily from 7pm to midnight throughout the event.
He added that MBPP truck patrols will be carried out at Padang Kota Lama from 6pm, with enforcement action taken against vehicles causing obstructions during the operation.
Motorists are advised not to double-park or park along double yellow lines, as traffic conditions will be monitored through MBPP’s CCTV system.
“The CCTV system functions as ‘intelligence eyes’, allowing real-time monitoring of traffic conditions. Information gathered will be used to identify congestion hotspots and enable enforcement teams to be deployed promptly,” he said.
Rajendran warned motorists against stopping or waiting in prohibited areas, especially locations marked with “No Stopping” and “No Waiting” signs.
“Strict enforcement will be carried out, particularly in designated towing and wheel-clamping zones,” he said, urging road users to comply fully with traffic regulations and to plan their journeys in advance.
To support the operation, MBPP has extended the duty hours of its Traffic Unit enforcement officers from 10pm to midnight throughout the school holiday period.
In addition to major tourist areas, traffic patrols and control will continue at other congestion-prone locations, including Gurney Drive, Queensbay Mall, and five key roads: Burma Road, Jelutong Road, Weld Quay Road, Masjid Kapitan Keling Road and Macalister Road.
Rajendran said MBPP has also instructed that all council construction works and projects be suspended during the Christmas and year-end holiday period from Dec 23 to Jan 1, 2026.
“Road construction and excavation works by all utility companies will be halted, except for emergency-related works. A 24-hour standby maintenance team has been deployed to handle repairs and unforeseen issues to ensure smooth traffic flow,” he said.
He advised road users to remain civic-minded and drive safely.
Members of the public may contact MBPP to lodge complaints or report issues via the MBPP Hotline at 04-263 7637 or WhatsApp Aduan MBPP at 016-200 4082.
