Rajesh Nagarajan said a total ban was necessary after two separate incidents last month leading up to Hari Raya Aidifltiri saw a teenager lose a finger and young siblings suffer multiple burns.
He said that while their parents may have neglected their duty to ensure the children’s safety, the authorities must also bear responsibility for failing to enforce laws intended to prevent such accidents.
“What’s the point of having strict regulations if there’s no enforcement? Firecrackers, especially illegal ones, are being sold openly, even by the roadside.
“This is the issue we are currently facing. We have good laws but weak enforcement,” he told FMT.
Rajesh said public awareness campaigns are no longer enough.
“It’s not a matter of educating the public. It is common knowledge that firecrackers may unexpectedly cause harm, but they are still being sold and bought.”
He said only a complete ban, or near-total control as practised in Singapore and India, would end the sale and purchase cycle.
Firecrackers and fireworks in Malaysia are regulated under the Explosives Act 1957 and the Minor Offences Act 1955.
Only 46 types of firecrackers and fireworks are legally permitted for sale. Vendors are also required to have police permits.
Violations under Sections 7 and 8 of the Explosives Act can result in fines of up to RM10,000, imprisonment for up to seven years, or both.
Major public nuisance
Hatijah Hashim, a senior research officer at Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP), also called for a blanket ban, saying firecrackers have become a major public nuisance and a safety threat.
“The easy accessibility of firecrackers, combined with peer influence, not only encourages misuse but also turns them into a serious public nuisance and safety hazard,” she said.
Hatijah said an outright ban would be the more practical approach as the dangers firecrackers pose far outweigh any temporary amusement they may evoke.
“Given the severity of these incidents, the government must adopt a zero-tolerance policy,” she said.