GEORGE TOWN — With the year-end holiday season in full swing and thousands of vehicles expected to flood Penang’s roads, the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has stepped up its preparations by activating “Ops Payung” — a coordinated traffic management effort aimed at reducing congestion and ensuring safer travel.
The operation will be concentrated across key hotspots that attract both tourists and locals, including the busy Penang Road stretch, the iconic Bukit Bendera tourist area, the Sungai Nibong Penang Festival site and the ever-popular Padang Kota Lama waterfront.
Along Penang Road, three checkpoints will operate from 11am to 5pm to control vehicle movement and maintain orderly traffic. Bukit Bendera will see enforcement teams stationed at two control points from 12pm to 6pm to handle the continuous stream of visitors heading to the hill attraction.
At night, focus shifts to Sungai Nibong, where officers will regulate traffic between 7pm and midnight, while tow-truck operations will be active at Padang Kota Lama starting at 6pm to prevent illegal parking that often worsens congestion.
One of the major enhancements this festive season is MBPP’s use of its extensive CCTV network as “Intelligent Eyes”, allowing real-time monitoring and enabling enforcement teams to respond swiftly to emerging bottlenecks.
MBPP has also extended its Enforcement Traffic Unit’s working hours until midnight, backed by additional patrol teams covering high-risk areas.
To avoid unnecessary traffic disruption, all city construction works, including utility road excavation, have been suspended from December 23 to January 1, 2026, except for urgent repairs. A dedicated 24-hour maintenance response unit has also been activated.
While welcoming the influx of holidaymakers, MBPP urged motorists to drive responsibly, obey traffic regulations, park only in designated areas and avoid stopping in restricted lanes to prevent unnecessary blockage.
According to earlier projections, more than 2.2 million vehicles are expected to enter Penang during this festive period — a figure influenced not only by the holidays but also by the ongoing Penang Festival.
For residents and visitors alike, Ops Payung represents more than enforcement; it is a coordinated effort to ensure everyone can enjoy Penang’s attractions with smoother journeys and safer roads throughout the festive season.