Penang police prohibited the use of firecrackers and fireworks during the Wesak Day celebration and procession on May 31, 2026. Violators face prosecution under Section 8 of the Explosives Act 1957, Penang police chief Datuk Azizee Ismail said: "The act of playing with firecrackers and fireworks is completely prohibited, and any individual who disobeys can be prosecuted under Section 8 of the Explosives Act 1957" [1, 2]. The use of drones during the event was also banned unless approved by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia.
More than 15,000 Buddhists and visitors were expected to attend the Wesak Day festivities in Penang, which featured a procession with 23 decorated floats themed "Bridging Through Digital, Cultivating Wisdom Together" [1, 2]. To facilitate the event, several roads were closed in stages from 6 pm until midnight on the evening of May 31 [1, 2].
Amid the large crowd, the Penang Port Commission (SPPP) provided free ferry rides on May 31 and June 1 between Sultan Abdul Halim Terminal and Raja Tun Uda Terminal. Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin, chairman of Penang Port Commission, said this "reflects the continued commitment of SPPP and Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) to facilitating travel for Malaysians, particularly during festive periods, to ease traffic congestion and encourage the use of more sustainable and efficient public transport" [3]. Last year’s Wesak Day ferries transported 7,127 foot passengers and 2,221 two-wheelers on the day.
Penang also experienced a surge in tourists over the long weekend from May 27 to May 31, coinciding with Wesak Day and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s birthday holiday [4]. Popular areas such as George Town’s UNESCO heritage site, Batu Ferringhi beach, and Penang Hill were crowded. The Penang Hill funicular recorded visitor numbers rising from 7,400 on May 28 to 8,800 on May 30, while hotel occupancy reached 100% [4]. Wong Hon Wai, chairman of the State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee, noted, "Frankly, the state’s tourist areas are filled with visitors, and this is very positive for tourism and the state’s economy, especially for small businesses" [4].
