KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Customs Department and the Royal Malaysia Police will be launching another crackdown on fireworks and firecrackers in conjunction with the upcoming Chinese New Year 2014 celebrations.
Sabah Customs deputy director of enforcement and compliance Hamzah Sundang said the joint operation, dubbed Ops Letup 5, would be held from January 28 until February 1 around housing estates and town areas in Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, Keningau, Kudat, Sandakan, Papar, Tawau and Lahad Datu.
“The purpose of this operation is to tighten activities involving fireworks firecrackers, and to remind the public not to buy, keep or play with such prohibited items.
“Both the police and customs personnel will also monitor shop operators from selling firecrackers and fireworks to the public,” he said at a joint press conference with the police at the Royal Malaysian Customs office here yesterday.
Hamzah said the Customs Department would enforce the Customs Act while the Corrosive, Explosive and Dangerous Weapons Act 1958 would be used by the police against anyone caught in possession or playing with the prohibited items.
Meanwhile, Hamzah said since Ops Letup was implemented in 2012, there have been huge decreases in fireworks and firecrackers activities in the state.
“For example, in last year’s Ops Letup 4, there was a drop of 70 per cent in firecrackers and fireworks activities, and this year our target is to decrease this activity as much as possible.
“We want the public to understand that selling, keeping and playing with illegal fireworks and firecrackers is against the law and both the police and Customs will not hesitate to take legal action against offenders,” he said.