Starting today until July 28, several main roads around Bukit Mertajam will be closed from 9 am on Saturday to 3 pm on Sunday to manage traffic for the Catholic celebration of St Anne’s Feast at the Minor Basilica St Anne.

Seberang Perai Tengah (SPT) police chief ACP Helmi Aris announced that the road closures will include Jalan Kulim from the Caltex petrol station to the Taman Bukit Indah traffic light junction, along with Jalan Tenang, Jalan Taman B, and Jalan Sepakat.

He stated that traffic control duties have already commenced today, with traffic policemen stationed at main road junctions. However, road closures will not begin until July 27 and will continue until Sunday.

"Road users traveling to Kulim from Bukit Mertajam will be redirected via Jalan Kampung Baru to Jalan Rozhan," he stated yesterday. Motorists coming from Kulim to Bukit Mertajam will be diverted to Jalan Sepakat and Jalan Taman B, leading to Jalan Kampung Baru.

Helmi announced that tomorrow at 7 pm, a 1.6 km long candlelight procession will begin at gate 3 of St Anne’s Church, passing through Jalan Kulim, Jalan Kampung Baru, and Jalan Berjaya, before returning to gate 1 of the church around 11 pm. He mentioned that the roads will be fully operational and open as usual after 3 pm on Sunday, immediately following the event.

The Minor Basilica of St Anne is expected to attract over 100,000 people for the religious celebration, making it one of the country's top annual events.