Widespread fireworks use sparks environmental and safety concerns in Malaysia

Lighting fireworks and firecrackers to celebrate festivals is a folk practice with a long history.

But the rise of mass-produced fireworks is a recent phenomenon linked to industrialisation.

A look at the history of fireworks in Malaysia, from as early as the British colonial period, shows us that traders imported fireworks, primarily for commercial performances in entertainment venues, for ethnic Chinese and Indian festive celebrations and for official ceremonies.

However, their operation and ignition were handled by designated technical personnel.

The earliest known regulatory law dates back to the colonial government’s Minor Offences Act of 1920. This granted police the authority to restrict the time and location for the setting off of fireworks and firecrackers. The aim was to protect public and private property and ensure public safety.

This law, despite undergoing multiple amendments, remains in effect today as the Minor Offences Act 1955.

However, with the return of the Pakatan Harapan coalition to power at the end of 2022, regulations on fireworks and firecrackers have undergone new changes.

Shortly after taking office, Housing and Local Government Nga Kor Ming proposed loosening restrictions on fireworks during the 2023 Chinese New Year, and his proposal was accepted by the cabinet. Nga argued that the new policy could “increase tax revenue”, “eliminate the black market”, “enhance the festive atmosphere”, and “improve product safety”.

Externalities and public safety

It has been two years since the legalisation of fireworks. Has the policy achieved its intended goals?

Since no official data has ever been provided, it remains unclear whether national tax revenue has actually increased following legalisation.

On the contrary, the black market has not been eliminated but has instead become even more rampant. Large amounts of smuggled fireworks and firecrackers are now widely available.

This raises public scepticism – has tax revenue truly increased? With such a thriving black market, how can safety standards be effectively enforced?

The goals of legalisation remain questionable. What seems clear is that the easing of regulations since 2023 has led to more widespread consumption of fireworks and firecrackers. Contributory factors include the post-pandemic economic recovery and increased purchasing power among the public.

Fireworks and firecrackers are now more easily available for festive celebrations throughout the year. Even festivals that traditionally do not involve fireworks have begun embracing their use, undoubtedly enhancing the festive atmosphere.

Some believe the increased use of fireworks at festivals reflects Malaysia’s religious and cultural diversity. They maintain that the ‘equal right’ of all ethnic groups to set off fireworks should be upheld.

Does enhancing the festive atmosphere alone make relaxing firework regulations a good policy? If the black market is wiped out and tax revenue increases, should fireworks and firecracker regulations remain relaxed?

The concept of “externalities” might help clarify this issue. The term externalities, widely used in economics, refers to situations where the actions, consumption and decisions of an individual or a group of people result in either harm (negative externalities) or benefits (positive externalities) for others or for society.

In other words, the costs and consequences of economic activities are not always fully borne or enjoyed by the individuals or groups who initiate those activities.

So, what externalities do fireworks and firecrackers generate?

Festive atmosphere or public nuisance?

For those who love fireworks, the intense visual and auditory stimulation is an enjoyable part of the festive atmosphere.

However, for others, it can cause significant sleep and mental disturbances, especially when fireworks and firecrackers are set off late at night.

In addition to sleep disruption, animal welfare advocates have raised concerns about the harm that the loud noises and bright flashes cause to stray animals and wildlife.  

Environmentalists, too, have repeatedly warned about the detrimental effects of fireworks on both the environment and human health. For example, over the past 20 years, the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) has repeatedly called on authorities to impose stricter regulations on fireworks to reduce environmental damage and air pollution.

Air pollution not only worsens respiratory allergies and infections in affected individuals. It also raises the risk of illness among healthy people.

Consider the celebration of Ti Kong Seh (the Jade Emperor’s Birthday) on the ninth day of the first lunar month in the Year of the Wood Snake (6 February).

After midnight, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Penang Island quickly worsened due to collective firework displays. It rose rapidly from below 60 to over 90 and then surpassed 100 (unhealthy level) the following morning.

With rising climate change and global warming in recent years, the wider use of fireworks only worsens the problem.

Many fireworks-related explosions, both locally and abroad, have resulted in countless fatalities and injuries. One tragic case was the 1991 Bright Sparklers Fireworks Factory explosion in Sungai Buloh, Selangor, which claimed 26 lives.

Due to the flammable nature of fireworks, their manufacturing, storage and consumption pose significant public safety risks. This is worrying, especially with the increasing popularity of powerful fireworks, which almost sound like loud explosives.

In short, the production and consumption of fireworks come with severe negative externalities, making them highly unfair to those who neither sell nor consume them.

Ironically, even fireworks sellers and consumers themselves cannot escape the harmful effects. They experience the same polluted air and environmental degradation.

While some of them may shrug off these negative consequences, the threat that negative externalities pose to public safety and people’s health cannot be ignored. Not to mention the amount of public funds needed to clean up the mess.

Debate over restrictions and bans

If we acknowledge the negative externalities of fireworks and firecrackers, we must then consider ways to reduce the harm.

We should be able to distinguish between what benefits our community and the environment and what is harmful. Ideally, we do not need the state to dictate how we celebrate festivals.

However, self-regulation requires not only an awareness of the negative externalities.

It also requires self-discipline and a willingness to limit consumption. But, based on current fireworks consumption trends and social media discussions, these two conditions seem lacking.

Granted, many justify fireworks saying that it “enhances the festive atmosphere” or it “upholds cultural or ethnic rights”.  

But these individuals may be unaware of the negative externalities. Instead, they argue, “It’s a festive season, we should tolerate people’s way of celebration.”

Yet, few of them advocate for respecting others’ rest and sleep or for valuing other forms of life, such as stray animals and nearby wildlife.

The arguments touting tolerance, a festive atmosphere and cultural rights are narrow, viewing fireworks solely as a cultural issue. They emphasise the immediate enjoyment and entertainment fireworks provide. But they completely ignore the long-term harmful impact on the environment and the human and wildlife stress.

Looking at international policies, the control of fireworks typically falls into two categories: complete bans and regulated use.

Total bans prohibit the sale and use of fireworks by the public, allowing them only for official celebrations. However, such policies often raise concerns about the legitimacy of using public funds for fireworks displays.

Regulated use varies across countries. Some governments impose safety standards that limit the types of fireworks available for sale. Others restrict the time and location where fireworks can be set off to minimise public nuisance.

Major fireworks exporters like China, the Netherlands and the EU now have stricter rules. This trend is unlikely to be a mere coincidence and can serve as a valuable reference for our own policies.

A new interpretation of tradition

According to Chinese tradition, the setting off of firecrackers aims to scare away a mythical beast, Nian. This ritual symbolises leaving behind the misfortunes of the past year and embracing new beginnings.

However, if firecrackers and fireworks harm the environment and public health, then it is better to abandon this outdated practice, which causes more harm than good to the community and the environment.

True adherence to the essence of “removing the bad old things and welcoming the new” means embracing progress. Surely, protecting the community and the environment is more in line with the spirit of renewal and progressiveness.

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

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