New Year's revellers urged to behave responsibly and carpool

GEORGE TOWN: Police have urged New Year's revellers to behave responsibly and to ride share if they want to herald in the celebrations which is expected to start from 5pm today.
State Deputy CPO Comm Datuk Roslee Chik (pix) said that police will deploy their traffic personnel to keep tabs but it was advisable for the people to partake in carpooling or use the ride-sharing apps when frequenting crowded public areas.
The roads in Penang have begun to be more congested than usual here, as people begin to mark the last day of 2017 with reflections and best wishes for a fresh year.
There would be six epicentres of the celebration here as the private sector brings in reputable bands, magicians and performers to mark the start of 2018.
With it, comes fireworks with food and beverage promotions to mark the 18th year of the new millennium.
The main one would be at the Gurney Drive stretch where the Gurney Plaza and Gurney Paragon shopping malls will be hosting various concerts and shows to mark the countdown.
A new one has emerged this year, which is at the Top in Komtar, where the operator of the diverse amusement park has lined up two events on its atrium and on the 60th floor.
The Only World Group Holdings Berhad's sales and marketing director Datuk Patrick Ong said there would be the state's highest fireworks display on the 60th floor beside concerts with local and Filipino performers.
Other places of interests would be in the Queensbay Mall near Bayan Baru, the Batu Ferringhi tourism belt, the Times Square area and on the mainland in the Auto City entertainment hub in Juru.
For those, opting for quiet surroundings, most hotels and resorts are offering their New Year Eve's promotions.
Rain is forecasted in some parts of the state, and the people need to be careful when commuting around the state.
Roslee said that the police will also monitor the tourism haunts to ensure that the celebrations were orderly.