Guidelines needed ahead of fireworks legalisation

SHAH ALAM - It is crucial to introduce proper guidelines on the safe use of fireworks before legalising its sale, Alliance for Community Safety president Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said today.

Lee said the government should consider the impact of the decision to legalise the sale of fireworks, before the products are reintroduced to the market.

“What are the ways to use fireworks safely?" asked Lee.

"Those storing fireworks at home also need to make sure there will be no unfortunate incidents.

“Plus, even now there are still firecrackers smuggled from neighbouring countries. So it's better to have proper guidelines if we want to have it sold openly,” he said.

Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming revealed this week that the sale of firecrackers and fireworks will be made legal by April.

Fireworks and firecrackers were previously prohibited due to the prevalance of accidents involving them, especially during festive seasons.

In 2020, an 11-year-old from Terengganu suffered injuries on his hands after playing with the firecrackers - which marked the first case of Ramadan in that year.

Last year media reported that a boy who lost three of his fingers due to firecrackers in Bachok, Kelantan.