Cold water thrown onto approval of fireworks

PETALING JAYA: It should be “safety first” as the government moves to legalise the sale and use of fireworks and firecrackers, says Penang Hindu Association president P. Murugiah.

“For instance, all items such as fire extinguishers, gas stoves or gas pipes must have Sirim Bhd approval.

“Similarly, any firecrackers or fireworks set off in Malaysia should have Sirim approval to make sure there is no damage and they are safe for users,” he said, citing a viral video of a girl whose hand was burned while playing with fireworks recently.

Murugiah said there was also the danger of firecrackers and fireworks sparking fires, especially during dry weather.

“If the fireworks or firecrackers cause damage to a building, for example, the fire brigade will have to put this out and public funds are spent on this.

“The government should also look at neighbouring countries such as Thailand and Singapore to see if they have legalised fireworks or firecrackers,” he added.

Irene Low, director of canine welfare project Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better (MDDB), said the decision to legalise fireworks was very shortsighted and came with several ramifications.

One would be the impact on pets and street animals.

“Dogs especially have a hearing almost seven times sharper than human beings.

“Imagine the fright they suffer every time fireworks are set off during festivities, especially Chinese New Year (CNY).

“Every year, MDDB receives countless alerts of lost dogs during the CNY period.

“Most of them bolt from their homes from fright when firecrackers are blasted,” said Low, adding that while some were eventually found, a few remained missing for good.

“Some of these frightened pets that run off tragically end up as roadkill,” she said, adding that MDDB had also received requests to rescue many dogs found frightened and loitering around town.

Many of these dogs have collars, indicating they are pets.

“We hope the minister will reconsider his decision as it would cause more harm than good to allow people to set off fireworks without any guidelines or prohibition,” Low added.

Earlier yesterday, Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming announced that the Cabinet had decided to legalise fireworks and firecrackers.

He said the Home Ministry had been tasked with coming up with regulations to license the import and sale of these items, while the Finance Ministry would decide on import duties.

Cat lover Sa’odah Elias said she “whole-heartedly disagreed” with the decision.

“Why are we regressing? Which civilised society or country allows people to play with firecrackers and explode fireworks indiscriminately?

“Animals have very acute hearing, so they are the most affected by this,” said Sa’odah, who has a bevy of cats.

Consumers Association of Penang Education Officer NV Subbarow said regulations should definitely be in place because it could get very noisy around the neighbourhood with fireworks and firecrackers.

“People shouldn’t set off firework at schools or in public areas, but perhaps at a football field with an open space.

“They should only be allowed to do so at night, when most people are at home,” he said.