KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 25 — The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) will step up security and traffic controls in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya from tomorrow ahead of the 69th Merdeka Eve celebrations and National Day 2026.

Kuala Lumpur Police chief Datuk Fadil Marsus said road closures for the preliminary rehearsal in Putrajaya would be in place from tomorrow until Friday, with Persiaran Perdana completely closed from Jalan Kemerdekaan to Lebuh Bestari.

He said eight major roads would be closed from 6am to noon for rehearsals on Aug 28 and 29: Dataran Putra, Persiaran Perdana, Laman Perdana, Jalan P2a, Jalan P2t, Jalan P2s, Jalan P2w, and Jalan P2y.

“Road closures in Putrajaya will begin at 5am on Aug 30 and remain in place until 6pm the following day.

“The affected routes include Seri Wawasan Bridge, Seri Saujana Bridge, Seri Gemilang Bridge, Putra Bridge and Seri Ehsan Bridge, while only Seri Bestari Bridge and Seri Setia Bridge will remain open to traffic,” he said in a statement today.

Fadil said several other routes in Putrajaya would also be affected, including Lebuh Bestari, Lebuh Setia, Lebuh Saujana, Lebuh Gemilang, Lebuh Wawasan, Lebuh Sentosa, Jalan Tun Hussein, Persiaran Barat and Persiaran Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah (PSSAS).

Fadil urged visitors to plan their journeys and use the free shuttle bus service provided by Putrajaya Corporation.

He also reminded the public not to fly drones without approval in Putrajaya, a no-fly zone, and advised residents not to be alarmed by cannon fire from the Malaysian Armed Forces during rehearsals and celebrations.

“A total of 2,357 police personnel will be deployed in Putrajaya to oversee security and traffic control, with around 80,000 visitors expected,” he said.

In Kuala Lumpur, he said police would launch the 2026 Merdeka Eve Crime Prevention Operation, focusing on crime hotspots and areas drawing large crowds while stepping up efforts to prevent and combat crime across the capital.

“The Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT KL) will oversee traffic control at major locations such as Dataran Merdeka, KLCC and Sunway Velocity, where crowds are expected to gather for fireworks and a drone show at the Kuala Lumpur Tower,” he said.

Members of the public with questions about traffic controls can contact the Kuala Lumpur Police Hotline at 03-2115 9999, the Putrajaya Police Hotline at 03-8886 2222 or the JSPT KL Operations Room at 03-2071 9999. — Bernama