HOW HIGH CAN IT GO?: Members of the public thrilled by the `Kung Ming’ lantern.
SIBU: Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) has appealed to the general public to stop letting off ‘Kung Ming’ lanterns as such lanterns are a safety hazard.
SMC deputy chairman Daniel Ngieng pointed out yesterday that `Kung Ming’ lanterns were devoid of safety features.
“Those letting off ‘Kung Ming’ lanterns are in fact, playing with a naked flame, and this could cause fires if the objects landed on rooftops in residential areas.
“We don’t recommend people indulging in such an activity. Besides, letting off such lanterns is not part of our culture. We advise members of the public against buying these items and letting them off at public places,” Ngieng told The Borneo Post.
Ngieng said if the lanterns were let off near the airport, they could disrupt flights.
He was asked to comment on the indiscriminate letting off of ‘Kung Ming’ lanterns, popularly known as sky lanterns, at Sibu Town Square Phase I during the recent Mooncake Festival.
Dozens of such lanterns, some inscribed with wishes, had lit up the dark skies that night.
One of the lanterns landed on a tree at the car park, but luckily no damage was done. After the event was over, damaged sky lanterns were spotted strewn across the town square.
Ngieng urged members of the public to alert his office if they spotted anyone selling sky lanterns.
“We will take necessary actions against the illegal hawkers.”
According to news posted on the Internet in 2003, thousands of sky lanterns were released during the Lunar New Year in Penang, and it disrupted air traffic at Penang International Airport.
Countries such as Singapore and Hong Kong had banned the release of such lanterns in the interest of aviation and environmental safety.
The lantern is made from oiled rice paper, while its frame comes from bamboo splints. It contains a small candle or cloth wick soaked with kerosene. Once lighted, it would float into the air.
A popular folklore had it that `Kung Ming’ lanterns were the first hot air balloon to have been invented by the sage and military strategist Zhuge Liang.
It was believed to be first deployed at the turn of the third century as a `signalling balloon’, or spy blimp in warfare.