Police awaiting Home Ministry’s guidelines on fireworks

KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Aman will wait for the Home Ministry’s policy on the legalisation of firecrackers and fireworks, says Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani.

The Inspector-General of Police said they were ready to abide by the guidelines to be introduced by the ministry.

“I was just informed of the matter and we will wait for the policy that will be decided by the ministry,” he told reporters after attending the Hiking with the Police Programme at Bukit Kiara Federal Park on Saturday (Feb 4).

He was commenting on the government’s decision to legalise the sale of firecrackers and fireworks.

It was reported that the Home Ministry has been tasked with coming up with regulations to license the import and sales of firecrackers and fireworks, following the Cabinet’s decision to legalise their use.

Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming said the Finance Ministry would also be involved to determine duty to be imposed on these items.

He had said while the Cabinet had agreed to legalise the lighting up of firecrackers and fireworks, this was subject to approval by the authorities such as import licences and duties to be paid.

Nga also said the control and licensing would be imposed at the source and would involve importers and wholesalers.

Consumers would not be required to get permission to use firecrackers and fireworks.

Nga who was earlier reported to announce the Cabinet decision had said that legalising firecrackers and fireworks would bring benefits to the country including increasing revenue and improving safety.