Road closure in Kuching for Malaysia Day celebration

KUCHING, Sept 9  -- Several roads around the Padang Merdeka here will be closed and the traffic will be diverted in conjunction with the Malaysia Day 2019 celebration on Sept 16  from 4 pm onwards.

Kuching district police chief ACP Awang Din Awang Gani said the roads involved were Jalan Gambier, Jalan Gambier detour to Jalan Main Baazar, Jalan Wawasan and Jalan Main Bazar from Jalan Lebuh Wayang.

In addition, other roads involved are the ones heading to Jalan Lebuh Wayang from the direction of Jalan Ban Hock (St Mary), Jalan Mcdougall from the direction of Jalan Ban Hock (St Mary) and Jalan Lampu Isyarat RTM to Padang Merdeka.

“Members of the public who want to attend the celebration are encouraged to use public transport such as buses, taxis, grabcar, mycar and so on,” he said at a press conference at the Kuching district police headquarters here today.

He added that during the full dress rehearsals from Sept 12 to 14, the roads would also be closed from 7 pm until the activities were concluded.

“On Sept 10 and 11, there will be a special rehearsal by the Arts Council and there will be road closure in area starting at 10 pm,” he said.

Meanwhile, Awang Din said the road closure and detour at Jalan Mcdougall entry points would be extended until Sept 18 following the construction of the VVIP stage in the area.

“Members of the public are advised to follow the traffic signages and directions provided by the Public Works Department (JKR) and traffic policemen,” he said.

For those who wish to drive own vehicles on Sept 16, Awang Din said eight parking facilities would be available, namely, at Medan Pelita, Saujana Building, Baitulmal open area, Panggung Udara, Reservoir Park, St Thomas Cathedral, Dewan Suarah and Padang Pasir roundabout.

He said about 10,000 people were estimated to be attending the event from various departments and institutions and this number did not include the number of visitors from the surrounding area including tourists staying at hotels around Kuching.

--BERNAMA