GEORGE TOWN: Penang police received eight police reports involving various cases during the three-day Thaipusam celebration in the state since last Saturday (Jan 31).
Penang police chief Comm Datuk Azizee Ismail stated that four investigation papers have been opened, involving two cases of violent crime and two cases of property crime, with two local men detained to assist investigations.
"Overall, the 2026 Thaipusam celebration at the Penang state level proceeded in an orderly, smooth, and safe manner as planned.
"We deployed 1,280 policemen to ensure the safety of all devotees, visitors, and road users throughout the celebration," he said when contacted by Bernama on Tuesday (Feb 3) night.
He said that police had estimated that approximately 1.1 million Hindu devotees and visitors attended the Thaipusam festivities in Penang over the four-day period.
Comm Azizee said the journey of both the golden and silver chariots to and from their destinations was carried out smoothly without any untoward incidents.
"Penang police would like to express its highest appreciation to all parties involved in helping to successfully carry out security control duties throughout the 2026 Thaipusam celebration, which I consider to be among the most successful and safest compared to previous years," he said.- Bernama
