Tourists at Batu Caves appear at ease, taking photographs with police and army personnel.
GOMBAK: Police and Armed Forces personnel are going the extra mile to ensure the safety of visitors and devotees at this year's Thaipusam celebrations at Batu Caves, in addition to assuaging fears of terror attacks.
Gombak OCPD Asst Comm Ali Ahmad said an "adequate" number of police officers and personnel had been deployed to patrol five zones around Batu Caves for 10 days commencing Thursday.
He noted that security at this year's celebrations have been heightened in the wake of terrorist threats and terror attacks around the world.
"Eventhough the attacks happened outside of this country, we will be enforcing the highest level of security at Batu Caves.
"It's not just Batu Caves. Security has been heightened across the country.
"I would like to stress that we have adequate manpower, whether it be uniformed or plain-clothes officers, to carry out duties at this year's celebrations," he explained.
ACP Ali said police personnel who will be on patrol duty throughout the 10 days comprised members of the General Operations Force (PGA) and the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) among others.
He added that 10 Armed Forces officer and personnel would also be working in shifts to patrol the five zones.
"I am not saying that terror-linked activities will happen in Batu Caves. These activities can happen anywhere.
"We can't predict these things, but we must be prepared for all eventualities - and we are prepared," he said.
On a separate matter, ACP Ali advised visitors and devotees to report illegal parking operators to the police during Thaipusam celebrations.
He added that illegal parking operators would be penalised under the law.
"We have banned illegal parking operators from the site since last year. Please don't pay these illegal operators.
"Park your cars at the designated spaces. Don't worry as we will be monitoring the area at all times to ensure that all vehicles are safe," he said.
According to ACP Ali, a technical headquarters would be set up at Batu Caves during the celebrations for devotees and visitors to lodge police reports.
Motorists are allowed to park their vehicles along both sides of the Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2), but those guilty of double-parking will be summoned or have their vehicles towed away.
