Fireworks sold in the open

Children buying fireworks from a stall.

ALTHOUGH banned in the country, fireworks are a common sight and sound during festive seasons.

While it comes as no secret that the contraband are sold to familiar customers at certain shops on the quiet, it is shocking to see them being sold openly at Ramadan bazaars and markets this fasting month.

A check by The Star last Sunday showed at least four stalls selling a variety of fireworks and even firecrackers outside the Tanjung Rambutan market.

According to one trader, there were various suppliers distributing the stock to traders.

“You can get fireworks at many places in Ipoh. You can even try the Gerbang Malam,” he recommended.

Asked if he was not afraid of the authorities, the trader said enforcement officers had not “disturbed” him so far.

“They won’t catch us as long as we sell the fireworks in small quantities.

“I don’t sell fireworks that resemble hand grenades. Those, we will get caught for,” the man in his 30s said, adding that he had been plying the trade at the same location for years.

Labels on the fireworks showed they were made in China although some had Thai writings on them.

They were sold for as cheap as RM2 for five boxes of snappers and RM20 for a box of 80 sparklers.

Cannonball fireworks cost between RM45 and RM50 each while the smaller versions can be bought for RM30 per dozen.

At the Ramadan bazaar in Taman Bercham Raya, Bercham, at least two stalls were selling fireworks.

It was a similar reply from one of the stall operators when asked if he was not afraid of being caught.

“No, it’s alright to sell them here. Nothing is going to happen,” said the man in his 50s, who even had a receipt from the Ipoh City Council for paid rental of his lot at the bazaar.

He added that although it was his first time selling fireworks at the Ramadan bazaar, others had been peddling the contraband there in previous years.

“It’s just that they did not do so in full view,” said the man, who was selling dancing butterfly fireworks for as cheap as 50 sen besides other small items.

A short walk away from the bazaar is yet another stall selling fireworks as well as firecrackers, situated along the main road and in full view of motorists.

Enquiring about prices at the stall were two children, probably under 10 years of age.

So enterprising was the young chap manning the stall that he had come up with the ingenious marketing strategy of pre-packing several smaller and cheaper items for sale at a few ringgit.

Like pre-packed sweets, the pre-packed fireworks must be extremely popular with his young clients.

“I’m running the stall for my father and he has not said anything about having to be discreet.

“Ya, somehow, no one seems to be hiding this year,” he said in agreement that fireworks peddlers had become extremely bold and were selling their loot in the open.