Every festival season in Malaysia is usually accompanied by complaints of neighbours playing fireworks all through the night, leaving people and animals disturbed and scared.
Well, looks like that will continue to be the reality for many of us and it doesn’t help that the government has decided to legalize fireworks.
Yesterday, local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming told China Press, that the cabinet has unanimously agreed to legalize the use of firecrackers and fireworks.
It’s actually… illegal?
“Since the eve of Chinese New Year this year, firecrackers and fireworks have been thundering throughout Malaysia. It was even more extreme on the ninth day of the celebration,” he said on stage.
“But you all have to understand that it is actually illegal… The police will catch you.”
“However, when we were having a Cabinet meeting today (Feb. 2)… I brought up the discussion to legalize firecrackers and fireworks,” he said.
“The Cabinet unanimously agreed to legalize firecrackers and fireworks.”
He said that the decision will grant the Chinese community’s long-awaited wish.
Nga noted that the use of fireworks and firecrackers for celebrations of all festive seasons in the nation has expanded beyond the Chinese community.
Nga emphasized that despite the policy change, the government still does not support routine use of fireworks and firecrackers.
“This is just a reflection of how liberal our unity government is. Anyway, there is now no need for everyone to worry about action being taken by the authorities,” he added.
Revenue first, safety second
Prior to the Cabinet’s decision, he said, the community’s practice of lighting firecrackers and fireworks paved the way for illegal sales.
As a result, he stated that legalizing firecrackers and fireworks would benefit the country by increasing revenue and improving safety.
“In the past, there have been injuries associated with the use of firecrackers and fireworks. And this is because some products do not meet the requirements and standards,” he said last night at a festive gathering in Nilai.
Following legalisation, Nga said that all imported firecrackers and fireworks would need to be approved and verified by the appropriate authorities.
He said the authorities would issue import licences to ensure all firecrackers and fireworks brought into the country are safe.
Maybe we can set the timing when fireworks is allowed .
Like in the UK I think it’s illegal to set fireworks from 11pm to 7am except for a few instances only. https://t.co/YMZdZAxtCQ
— Dr Nimelesh (@HausofHilton) February 3, 2023
Legalise and regulate for consumer safety instead of ineffective criminal sanctions. A perfectly reasonable response for many, many things 👀
— Alex Kua (@LexKua) February 3, 2023
We love fireworks but what happens when the activity goes unregulated or unrestricted in neighbourhoods? Let us know what you think in the comments!
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