SHAH ALAM, April 25 — The police in Selangor will take stern action against those found playing with fireworks and firecrackers after 12am, said state police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan.
Utusan Malaysia reported him as saying this is specifically aimed at those who do so in public areas, posing a danger and disrupting the public order.
Hussein said the police decided to do so following reports of injuries to members of the public in Gombak, as well as individuals playing with fireworks and firecrackers by the road, per the Minor Offenses Act 1955.
"Burning (setting off fireworks) is only permitted in open areas, not in front of houses, in the middle of the night, nor to the extent it endangers others.
"The police will act swiftly if they detect and receive reports of such act, especially after 12am," he said.
Hussein said the police will tighten control and monitoring in all locations across Selangor, particularly in residential areas in all districts.
"To this, the public is advised to set off fireworks and firecrackers cautiously and prioritise their safety. Adhere to the rules set, do not play recklessly to the extent of causing danger and injury to others," he said.
Separately, the state police chief said Ops Selamat this year will focus on 62 hot spot locations and six black locations in Selangor, including in suburban areas.
Prior to this, the Royal Malaysian Police Secretary Datuk Noorsiah Mohd Saaduddin said that fireworks are explosives categorised as Dangerous Good Cargo (DGC) and Hazard Class Division (HCD).
Those playing fireworks beyond 12am can face prosecution under Section 13 of the Minor Offenses Act 1955.
Similarly, deliberately causing an explosion or storing explosives with the intention of causing danger to life or property is punishable under Section 7 of the Explosives Act 1957 with seven years imprisonment, a RM10,000 fine, or both.
