As the hunt for escaped terrorist Mas Selamat Kastari continues, police are conducting selective checks on vehicles and people at cemeteries and columbaria.

Said a police spokesman: 'The police wish to assure the public that officers will conduct searches at the cemeteries without causing disrespect to the dead.' He added that any inconvenience caused will be minimised.

This year's festival - an annual rite when people pay respects to their ancestors with offerings and prayers - falls on Friday. But, as in the past, people have started paying their respects this past week.

A check by The Sunday Times yesterday morning found that traffic was smooth at the Choa Chu Kang cemetery. Traffic was slightly heavier at Bright Hill Columbarium off Bright Hill Road yesterday afternoon, but relatively smooth at the other cemeteries and columbaria.

Customer service officer Pauline Yeo, 21, said the police presence at the Choa Chu Kang cemetery made her feel safer. 'But if I'm caught in a traffic jam, I would prefer the convenience,' she added.

Sales manager Timothy Yeo, 29, felt that the police checks were excessive. 'It's ridiculous,' he said. 'There's no motivation for Mas Selamat to come here.'

Quantity surveyor Chim Bee Kiong, however, believed such measures were prudent since the fugitive, who escaped on Feb 27, could be hiding anywhere. 'He might go to the most unlikely places. We cannot take it for granted that he won't come here,' said the 46-year-old.

Crowds and heavy traffic are expected until April 20.

The affected areas include Choa Chu Kang Chinese cemetery; the four government columbaria at Mandai, Yishun, Mount Vernon and Choa Chu Kang; Bukit Brown Chinese cemetery; Phor Kark See Temple; Tze Toh Aun Temple and Pek San Theng.

Police and the National Environment Agency advise visitors to avoid peak visiting hours: between 6am and noon on Friday, as well as today and the next three Sundays.

chenmy@sph.com.sg