Jom Layan Road Block goBlog..!

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Police are setting up roadblocks in Penang and also in neighbouring Kedah and Perak to ensure maximum security for the Permatang Pauh by-election.

Central Seberang Prai district police media relations officer Supt Shaharon Anuar Abdul Latif said the roadblocks were being set up in stages since Saturday at all entry and exit points of the constituency.

“It includes all entrances to Penang as well as locations in neighbouring states such as Kulim and Sungai Petani in Kedah, and Bagan Serai and Parit Buntar in Perak.

“The roadblocks are to ensure security and that the election process is not sabotaged with the entry of outsiders into the constituency,” Supt Shaharon Anuar told a press conference yesterday.

He told the public not to be unduly worried if they came across roadblocks at the various locations.

Supt Shaharon also said police would deploy 6,000 personnel members to oversee crowd and traffic flow during polling tomorrow.

He said General Action Force personnel from Perak, Selangor and Pahang would also be on stand-by while policemen from neighbouring states had been requested to be prepared for any eventuality.

He repeated his caution to the public not to take the law into their hands or be involved in incidents that could disrupt public order.

He said supporters of political parties from other areas and non-voters should avoid going to Permatang Pauh tomorrow as this would cause traffic congestion and create hindrances if, for instance, an ambulance had to be sent to attend to a medical emergency.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) Penang division will provide transport to Permatang Pauh polling stations tomorrow for workers who are voters.

Its secretary K. Veeriah said there would be three pick-up posts to the polling stations.

He said the posts would be set up at Komplex Penjaja (Medan Selera MPSP) for those working in the Mak Mandin area; at the food stalls next to MOX (Malaysian Oxygen) for workers in the Prai Industrial Complex Zone 1; and at the food stalls in front of Excel for workers in Zone 2.

He said the posts would be open from 7am to 4pm tomorrow, adding that it would also be open from 10am to 11pm today to provide information.

Veeriah urged all employers with workers who were Permatang Pauh voters to provide a similar service.

“MTUC also welcomes the announcement by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to declare polling day a public holiday. It is imperative that the paid holiday is strictly observed by employers in the state to enable all voters from the Permatang Pauh constituency to exercise their voting rights,” Veeriah said in a statement.