KUALA LUMPUR – Putrajaya has agreed to legalise firecrackers and fireworks to put an end to the smuggling of these items, said Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming.
The new policy, which was determined during yesterday’s cabinet meeting, is expected to come into effect by Hari Raya Aidilfitri in April.
The minister reportedly said that the move will see wholesalers and importers – who had previously been transporting the products illegally – now be subjected to licence applications, import duties, as well as guidelines and regulations.
The applications will be issued by the Home Ministry, which will be in charge of importing and licensing matters.
“We now leave it to the Home Ministry to issue the guidelines and regulations on how to apply for the licence, and for the Finance Ministry to determine the percentage of duties to be paid for the fireworks and firecrackers,” the New Straits Times quoted him as saying at a Chinese New Year event today.
Pointing out that syndicates had been raking in profits from the smuggling of these items into the country, he added that the legalising of the products is expected to increase government revenue through duties from licence holders.
“Smugglers bring them (firecrackers and fireworks) in with no safety standards and we see accidents. (Following legalisation), there will also be regulatory control and law enforcement,” he said.
Consumers, he added, will not be required to get permission to use firecrackers and fireworks. – The Vibes, February 3, 2023
