Buyers and sellers both in the wrong
AS a Malaysian, I admit to enjoying and celebrating every festive season be it Hari Raya, Deepavali, Chinese New Year or Christmas. Celebrating these festivals is without doubt one of the many joyful perks of living in this multicultural nation of ours.
One thing that has baffled me for many years during these celebrations is how Malaysians are still able to set off firecrackers despite the total ban imposed on the practice many decades ago. Year in, year out we read stories in the media about children injuring themselves while playing with firecrackers. There are even cases of stray firecrackers/fireworks causing fires at homes.
But how often do we read of firecracker smugglers getting caught and charged in court? What about the special go-to person or hidden door in every town and kampung which everyone knows supplies the goodies every festive season?
Though there are numerous legislations declaring the manufacturing, importing, selling and playing of fireworks illegal in our country, somehow this has not dented Malaysians’ fondness for fireworks. There is even a running joke among Singaporeans that should they miss the sound, sight and smell of fireworks during festive seasons, all they need to do is look across the causeway.
Anyone with a social media account can see how these illicit fireworks are being sold online openly to the general public. Sometimes I wonder if these sellers are invisible to the eyes of the law. The bringing in of banned fire- works through our borders must by itself cost the Government many millions of ringgit per year in uncollected revenue.
There have even been suggestions that if the authorities cannot control the importing, selling and playing of these explosives, why not just legalise them and reap the levies and taxes from this multi-million ringgit industry?
It has come to the point that playing with firecrackers is akin to talking on a phone while driving or speeding in a residential estate; it is only illegal if you are caught red-handed. Maybe it’s time for the authorities to muscle up, extend their fangs and show these law breakers who’s really in charge. DECENT CITIZEN Ipoh