GEORGE TOWN: The Penang City Council (MBPP) will activate Ops Payung as part of its traffic management and enforcement strategy during the Chinese New Year period and upcoming school holidays.
According to the council’s Public Relations and Corporate Communications Department, the operation will be carried out by the Enforcement Department, focusing on congestion-prone areas, traffic obstructions, and major tourist hotspots across the island.
“The activation of Ops Payung is aimed at ensuring smoother traffic flow, particularly in high-impact locations that traditionally experience congestion during festive periods and school holidays,” the department said in a statement on Sunday (Feb 15).
The operation will be conducted in multiple locations.
In Jalan Penang, traffic control with three checkpoints will be implemented at Pasar Chowrasta, the junction of Lebuh Kimberly, and the Lebuh Keng Kwee area. Enforcement will be in place from 10am to 5pm daily from Feb 14 to 22.
At Bukit Bendera, two checkpoints will be activated from noon to 6pm daily between Feb 16 to 22.
Meanwhile, in Ayer Itam, traffic control measures during the Chinese New Year celebrations will involve five main checkpoints. Enforcement at the location began on Feb 12 and is expected to continue until Feb 22, from 4pm to 11pm daily.
The department said entry into Jalan Padang Kota Lama from Lebuh Light, near the Town Hall, will be closed during the evening to ensure smooth traffic dispersal from the Padang Kota area.
Traffic control will also be conducted along Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah near Dewan Sri Pinang, and tow trucks will be deployed from 6pm onward to remove vehicles causing obstructions.
The council will also utilise closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras as “intelligence eyes” to monitor traffic conditions and identify congestion hotspots in real time. Monitoring will be conducted continuously through the Traffic Control Centre and MBPP patrol teams.
To further strengthen enforcement, duty hours for Traffic Unit personnel under the Enforcement Department will be extended from 10pm to midnight daily from Feb 16 to Feb 22.
The council also said all construction work and projects along major roads will be temporarily halted during the school holiday period.
Road excavation works will also be suspended, except for emergency cases.
A 24-hour maintenance team will be on standby to perform repairs and address any issues that may arise.
Joint patrols and traffic control will also be conducted with the police and the Road Transport Department at other identified congestion hotspots, including Persiaran Gurney, Pulau Tikus, areas surrounding Komtar, and Persiaran Bayan Indah near Queensbay Mall.
The council urged visitors to park only at designated parking areas to avoid traffic obstruction, warning that wheel clamping and vehicle towing will be enforced against offending vehicles.
The public is also encouraged to use public buses, free shuttle services, Rapid Penang On Demand, e-hailing services, or to walk for short-distance travel to help reduce congestion.
“All road users are advised to comply with traffic regulations and follow instructions issued by the council’s enforcement officers and the police throughout the school holiday period, as strict enforcement action will be taken against errant motorists,” the statement added.
