Many regions in West Kalimantan are preparing for Cap Go Meh celebrations scheduled to take place on Saturday.

Cities like Sinkawang and Pontianak—where significant ethnic-Chinese communities reside—as well as Sambas, Bengkawang and Mempawah, each will hold Cap Go Meh celebrations.

Cap Go Meh is observed 15 days after Chinese New Year, locally known as Imlek.

Hundreds of tatungs, an essential part of the local Cap Go Meh tradition, will demonstrate their ability of piercing their bodies with sharp objects at several of the parades on Saturday.

As was the case with Chinese New Year celebrations observed on Jan 28, Cap Go Meh events will be under police guard. There will be 832 police personnel assigned to 138 locations in Singkawang.

In the city, there will be a parade of 565 tatungs and a 178-meter-long dragon replica that will be carried by up to 100 people. There will also be a parade of lanterns to add to the festivities. Meanwhile in Pontianak, 690 police personnel have been assigned to 12 locations. A night market in the center of the city and a parade of 11 dragon replicas will also entertain locals and tourists.

(Read also: Tatung to enliven Cap Go Meh celebration in Sambas)

West Kalimantan Police chief Insp. Gen. Musyafak said on Friday police beefed up security to prevent any disruptions.

“We give special attention to Singkawang, which is a tourism destination for both domestic and foreign tourists,” he said.

West Kalimantan Police operations bureau head Sr. Comr. Hariadi said the security measures prepared for Cap Go Meh were a continuation of measures for Chinese New Year, where security personnel guarded 1,200 temples across the province. (rin)

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