Fuzi: Police do issue firecracker permits, but only for certain types

KUCHING: Inspector- General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun says the police do issue permits to certain operators to sell firecrackers during the Lunar New Year, but stresses that the permits only allow the sale of certain kinds of firecrackers.

“There are rules and regulations when it comes to selling firecrackers. And those sellers must be licensed because firecrackers are controlled items.

“They ( operators) need to follow the rules and regulations. If they go against the rules and regulations, we will take action,” he said at a news conference after attending the National Warriors Award ceremony held here yesterday.

Mohamad Fuzi reiterated that not all types of firecrackers are permitted in Malaysia.

“All the states are to comply with the regulations and guidelines issued by Bukit Aman ( federal police headquarters),” he said.

On the sale of firecrackers by a shop at Taman BDC here, whose operator said he had a permit issued by the police, Mohamad Fuzi said he was not aware of the matter which was shared on Facebook last week.

However, he believed that the Sarawak police contingent would look into the matter to determine if the operator’s permit was genuine.

A check by The Borneo Post at the shop last week found that the firecrackers and fireworks being sold there were those under the ‘Happy Boom’ brand, which is one of two brands permitted for sale in the country.

‘ Pop Pop’ is another brand sanctioned under Malaysian law.

Among the types of firecrackers and fireworks sold by the shop include sparklers, flower camelia, pill crackers and eight-inch firecrackers, with prices ranging from RM24 to RM250.

The display of firecrackers and fireworks is also accompanied by the police-issued licence, while customers who purchase them are also issued official receipts.