KLANG: This royal town resembled a war zone during last week’s Deepavali celebrations, as the sound of firecrackers echoed well into the wee hours.
Many said the noise began on the eve of the festival on Oct 19, with fireworks lighting up the night sky until the third day of the festival.
“This year was the worst. It looked like people had spent a lot of money buying fireworks and firecrackers to blast away,” said TL Ang, 74, who lives in Taman Melawis.
He said the noise had deprived residents of decent sleep for several nights.
“We understand and will tolerate when fireworks and firecrackers are set off in the early hours on the eve and on the festival day.
“But why keep on doing it for several days?” Ang said, adding that the neighbourhood was also littered with remnants of fireworks and firecrackers.
Taman Andalas resident A. David, 45, said the blasts were excessive and continued into the early morning for the first three days of the Festival of Lights.
“Most people had to work on the second day of Deepavali, and the loud blasts had kept them up,” he said.
David concurred with Ang that revellers should be given leeway to celebrate with fireworks on the eve and first day but urged them to minimise it in the following days.
On remnants of fireworks and firecrackers, David said if it had not rained, the mess would have been horrendous.
“Luckily, the rain washed away the used-up fireworks and firecrackers, or otherwise they would still be lying around,” he said, adding that he saw Klang Royal City Council (MBDK) workers cleaning up the day after Deepavali.
MBDK Environmental Services Department director Zaireezal Ahmad Zainuddin said cleaning in residential areas followed the regular schedule, with fireworks and firecracker remnants collected at the same time.
“Our staff have been deployed daily to remove all debris, garbage and remnants found mainly at Jalan Tengku Kelana and Jalan Tingkat,” he said.
For pet owner K. Jaya, the celebrations turned into a nightmare for his dogs.
“I am sure many pet owners will say the same. My dogs were trembling for hours and one had even refused to eat and drink,” he said.
He said he felt sorry for stray animals that had nowhere safe to seek refuge from the loud explosions.
“My dogs were inside the house and they snuggled up to us or hid under the bed,” he added.
Malaysian Hindu Sangam president Thanga Genesan said allowing the use of fireworks for celebrations should not come at the cost of public safety or the comfort of those not taking part.
He said while fireworks have become a part of Deepavali and other festive celebrations, their excessive misuse is not part of the religion’s practice.
“Playing fireworks during Deepavali is not part of the actual religious practice of Hinduism, as the festival’s true meaning lies in the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, symbolised by lighting lamps, not fireworks.
“While they create excitement and joy, they also bring safety risks, noise and pollution that can harm people and the environment.
“Therefore, we should celebrate Deepavali in safer and more meaningful ways, such as lighting oil lamps, spending time with family, and spreading kindness and harmony,” Thanga added.
MBDK councillor Roy Nyaneswaran, 46, who lives in Taman Sentosa Perdana, said perhaps it is time for the council to introduce a circular or policy regulating the use of fireworks during festive seasons.
“Revellers can be allowed to blast and burn away up to, perhaps, 2am or even 3am on the eve of the festival and 1am on the festival day.
“However, they should stop by 11pm on subsequent days.”
He urged resident associations to remind members to clean up after celebrations.
Section 6 Rukun Tetangga chairman Rajesh Mansukhlal said fireworks should only be allowed until midnight, as the excessively loud bangs disrupt residents who are not celebrating the occasion.
“We must remember as a community that not everyone will be celebrating every occasion,” he said.
“So having these fireworks explode past midnight is a nuisance for those who are trying to get some sleep before work the next day,” Rajesh added.
He called for tighter enforcement while an outright ban is being debated.
Section 16/3 Petaling Jaya Residents Association chairman VKK Raja also called for fireworks activities to stop after 1am.
“This restriction will help reduce public disturbance, especially for those of us in residential areas who just want to rest after a long day.
“This ensures a balance between celebration and public peace, safety and consideration for others,” he said.
He added that fireworks displays should be limited to open, supervised public areas instead of narrow residential streets, where they pose the highest risk.
