By TUNKU SHAHARIAH

GEORGE TOWN: Watch out, rowdy revellers - you could be caught on camera during New Year's eve celebrations here.

Police will be equipped with video cameras to capture the antics of unruly revellers following the ugly Christmas eve celebrations at Gurney Drive.

State police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Wira Ayub Yaakub said revellers should know their limits.

"If they cross the boundary, we will not hesitate to detain and charge them in court with the evidence in hand," he told newsmen after the launch of the Community Excursion Convoy to crime hot spots on the island yesterday.

On Friday, the usually rowdy Christmas eve celebrations in Penang turned even uglier, with two Rela members punched, kicked and attacked with helmets by revellers.

A Bernama TV cameraman was also punched on the lips and pressmen were shoved by revellers, who sprayed aerosol foam on motorists and banged passing vehicles at Gurney Drive.

DCP Ayub said police would take a preventive and rational approach in dealing with revellers.

"We do not want to restrict or stop the public who are all hyped-up to usher in the new year," he added.

He said more policemen, including those who are on leave, Rela members and those in the Civil Defence Department would be roped in for duty during New Year's eve.

Meanwhile, State Tourism Development and Culture Committee chairman Danny Law Heng Kiang said he would propose three truckloads of Federal Reserve Unit personnel to be on standby at key areas at Gurney Drive, Esplanade and Queensbay Mall during the countdown celebrations.

He said the state government was expecting a large crowd, especially at the Esplanade.

Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation Penang chapter committee member Datuk Syed Jaafar Syed Ali said police should be visible in the areas not only on the day of the event but a few days earlier.

"Road blocks are also necessary to help keep the situation under control.

"Hooliganism is not our way. Acts of hooliganism by some youths will mar our image and give people the wrong perception of our country," he said.

-The Star/Asia News Network