Photo shows fireworks during the lighting ceremony of the Padungan arch and trees along Jalan Padungan near the White Cat Statue in Kuching on Oct 30, 2022.
KUCHING (Feb 6): The Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Sarawak (ACCCIS) is all for the Federal Cabinet’s recent decision to legalise the use of firecrackers and fireworks.
ACCCIS secretary-general Datuk Jonathan Chai said such move is a win-win situation as the country could collect duty from the imported explosive goods while preventing they syndicates from reaping profits from the smuggled firecrackers and fireworks.
Despite having said that, he hoped that the government could come up with stringent rules and regulations to regulate the use of firecrackers and fireworks.
“No doubt that firecrackers and fireworks are very much an important ‘ingredient’ to enliven or spice up the atmosphere when it comes to celebrating any festivities especially Chinese New Year.
“Even when it was illegal to play fireworks, looked at what had been happening around us during the festive season. People were playing fireworks as if it was legal to do so.
“Therefore, I am all for the government to legalise the sale and use of firecrackers and fireworks in a bid to end the smuggling of such products,” he told The Borneo Post today when prompted for comments on the subject matter.
On stringent rules and regulations, Chai suggested that the government come up with prescribed hours for fireworks to be set off.
He said the government should also come up with restrictions on minimum age to use firecrackers and fireworks and in the cases involving minors, the use of such explosive items should come with supervision of parents or guardians.
“Also, the locations where fireworks could be set off must be determined to ensure the safety of others in the vicinity or neighbourhood,” he added.
With the government’s effort to legalise the use of firecrackers and fireworks, Chai said the enforcement agency could serve to ensure that only products that meet the safety requirements would be allowed for import.
“With the guidelines on the use of firecrackers and fireworks to be introduced, I hope that we could reduce the accidents and mishaps which had occurred in the past,” he said.
Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming recently said that the Cabinet had agreed to legalise firecrackers and fireworks in a move to keep the smuggling of these items at bay.
He said suppliers would need to apply via the Home Ministry, which would be in charge of importing and licencing issues.
He added that the country was expected to gain from the duties of these explosive items.
According to Nga, such new policy is expected to come into effect by Hari Raya Aidilfitri in April.