A year has passed since the Cabinet decided to ease restrictions on the sale and distribution of both products.
When announcing the decision on Feb 2 last year, Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming said this was to create a revenue stream, quash syndicates and for imported fireworks to meet the government’s safety standards.
It is hard to argue against collecting revenue to fill government coffers and creating proper channels for the market.
Nga noted setting off fireworks and firecrackers had become a norm for Malaysians, regardless of race and religion.
At a press conference last April, he said it was important “to take care of the public’s safety”, presumably referring to the integrity of the supply chain.
Although guidelines were announced by the Home Ministry for businesses involved in importing and distribution, there were none for the end user, aside from those by the police stating that only 45 types of firecrackers were allowed for sale.
A quick search online revealed that more than 45 types are being sold by companies.
Examples included red crackers that are over 100ft (30.5m) long and the ones featuring 100,000 crackers as well as fireworks cakes marketed with shell sizes beyond those allowed on the list.
These are signs that not everyone is following the guidelines and that enforcement may be lacking.
The authorities should relook the advice of stakeholders, such as the six associations (Malaysian Paediatric Association, Asia Pacific Pediatric Association, Malaysian Society of Surgery of the Hand, Malaysian Health Coalition, Malaysian Society of Ophthalmology and Malaysian Medical Association) along with numerous NGOs which have voiced their concerns following the repeal last year.
Perhaps they can go further by conducting a study and surveying the population.
After all, setting off fireworks and firecrackers concerns the well-being and safety of people, animals and the environment.
Take the scenario of households that may have one, or a combination of affected members that have to contend with fireworks and firecrackers: those with physical and mental health conditions, the elderly, infants and pets.
Other hazards concern fire safety and serious bodily injuries.
Those with respiratory conditions are at greater risk due to inhalation of fumes and particulate matter.
It was reported that Thomas Chung, the father of Malaysian artistes Nick and Stella, suffered a severe asthma attack after inhaling smoke from firecrackers and fell into a coma before passing away on Feb 17.
If we cannot enforce the current guidelines on firecrackers and ensure public safety and health are not compromised, shouldn’t we review their use?
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