PUTRAJAYA: The Home Ministry has been tasked with coming up with the regulations to licence the import and sale of fireworks and firecrackers following the Cabinet’s decision to legalise them.
The Finance Ministry would be involved in determining the duties to be imposed on these items, said Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming.
He said legalising firecrackers and fireworks would not only ensure the safety of the goods for public use but would also be a source of revenue for the government.
“Lighting up firecrackers is a normal practice among Malaysians. People will play with firecrackers during Hari Raya, Deepavali and even during Christmas.
“Allowing it can bring the government millions of ringgit in revenue. By legalising it, we can shut down syndicates smuggling firecrackers and fireworks.
“We can also ensure the products meet our high safety standards and avoid accidents,” he said.
Best wishes: Flanking Ahmad Zahid (in white) are Nga and Fadillah, with other ministers and officials at the Local Government Development Ministry’s CNY celebration in Putrajaya. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
Nga also said the control and licencing 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 had earlier announced that the Cabinet’s decision to legalise firecrackers and fireworks would bring benefits to the country.
“In the past, there were incidents of injuries related to the setting off of firecrackers and fireworks. And this was due to the fact that some products did not meet the requirements and standards,” he said.
Nga was also quoted as saying that all imported firecrackers and fireworks would require the approval and verification of the relevant authorities.
On another matter, he also said all toilets in food and beverage outlets nationwide must be certified “A” for cleanliness by 2026.
To begin with, the directive will be imposed next year on outlets located in cities.
Nga said that if the toilets of these establishments were not certified “A”, operators would face difficulties renewing their annual licence.
He said the ruling was to be imposed on food and beverage outlets such as restaurants, coffee shops, mamak shops and hotels, among others.
“This is in line with the ministry’s BMW policy, so that operators are mindful about the cleanliness of their premises, especially toilets.
“We will come up with guidelines on what needs to be done. We are giving everyone sufficient time to ensure they adopt the right measures to obtain the ‘A’ certification,” he said at the ministry’s Chinese New Year celebration yesterday.
The “BMW” standard for public toilets means “bersih” (clean), “menawan” (attractive) and “wangi” (fragrant).
Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof as well as several Cabinet ministers and officials were also present.
Nga said food and beverage outlets located under the municipal council’s jurisdiction had until 2025 to ensure their toilets receive an “A” certification, while outlets under the district council’s jurisdiction would have until 2026.
He said imposing the “A” certification would go a long way towards increasing positive perceptions of Malaysia, especially among foreign tourists.
