George town: The Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) and the Local Government Department (LGD) have been directed to review the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for temporary fireworks sales stalls nationwide. This directive aims to ensure that festive celebrations proceed without incidents, prioritizing the safety of local communities.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Housing and Local Government (KPKT) Minister Nga Kor Ming highlighted that the revised guidelines will focus on establishing appropriate safety distances between stalls. Additionally, stall locations will be re-evaluated to ensure that they are not situated too close to permanent structures and residential areas. The minister shared these updates in a post on his official Facebook page.

Nga further stated that the ministry would consider making it compulsory for every licensed stall to have functioning fire extinguishers on hand to allow for immediate emergency response in case of a fire. He emphasized that safety and festivities must coexist, and by refining these guidelines, the ministry is committed to enhancing public safety so that every Malaysian can enjoy a festive atmosphere safely.

This directive comes after two recent fire incidents involving temporary fireworks sales stalls. In the early hours of Sunday morning, a stall in Taman Pekaka, George Town, was destroyed, causing damage to a motorcycle and three air-conditioning units of a nearby house. Another similar incident took place at Majidee Corner 1C, Jalan Bunga Ros, Johor Bahru, where a fire at a firecracker sales stall led to the destruction of a Proton Gen-2 car and a food truck.