KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 24 — The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has banned the sale of alcohol for three days during the Thaipusam celebration this year.

According to the Free Malaysia Today portal, the council issued a letter dated January 22 to premises serving alcohol that said the decision was to allow the Thaipusam festival to be celebrated in an "orderly and peaceful” manner.

"Be informed that the Thaipusam Celebration Preparation meeting chaired by the Chairman of the Penang Hindu Endowment Board was held on 14 December last year.

"The meeting determined that the Penang Island City Council should ensure that restaurants, premises, and stalls do not sell liquor during the three-day celebration of Thaipusam 2024,” the letter said.

The MBPP said businesses located from Queen Street to Jalan Air Terjun were to stop selling alcoholic beverages from January 24 to January 26.

"Failure to comply with this notice may result in the revocation of your business licence without further notice,” the council added.

On Sunday, Penang Hindu Endowment Board chairman RSN Rayer said a total of one million Hindu devotees are expected to throng Penang from January 24 to 26 to celebrate the Thaipusam festival.

He said this year’s Thaipusam will be different as for the first time in a sign of unity both the gold and silver chariots will feature in the procession to the temple in Jalan Kebun Bunga.

Additionally, Rayer asked those involved in the celebration not to sully the religious celebration, such as drinking alcohol or lighting firecrackers.