The Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) has directed an immediate and comprehensive review of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for temporary firework sales stalls across the country to ensure public safety during festive seasons. Minister Nga Kor Ming announced that the directive involves the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) and the Local Government Department (JKT) to verify that all traders strictly adhere to safety protocols and operate with accountability. This move is designed to protect local communities while allowing citizens to celebrate without the risk of hazardous accidents.
New guidelines will place a specific focus on establishing appropriate safety distances between stalls and re-evaluating their proximity to permanent structures and residential areas. The ministry aims to mitigate risks by ensuring that these temporary setups are not positioned too close to homes or high-traffic public spaces where an ignition could lead to widespread property damage. By refining these spatial requirements, the government intends to create a safer environment for both vendors and the general public during peak shopping periods.
In addition to location constraints, the ministry is examining a mandatory requirement for every licensed stall to be equipped with functioning fire extinguishers to facilitate immediate emergency response. Having such equipment on-site is seen as a critical measure to contain any small-scale fires before they escalate into uncontrollable blazes. Nga Kor Ming emphasised that safety and festive celebrations must go hand in hand, and the ministry is committed to strengthening public security so that every Malaysian can enjoy the holiday atmosphere safely.
This policy shift follows a recent incident on Sunday where a firework stall in Taman Pekaka, Nibong Tebal, was completely destroyed in a blaze that also decimated a Yamaha Y15 motorcycle and damaged three external air conditioning units of a nearby house. The Penang Fire and Rescue Department confirmed that while no injuries or fatalities occurred, the incident caused significant panic. Viral footage of the event showed patrons at a nearby restaurant fleeing for cover inside the premises to avoid being struck by flying sparks and exploding pyrotechnics.
Following the explosion, Seberang Perai Mayor Datuk Baderul Amin Abdul Hamid confirmed that the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) has immediately revoked the permit of the involved stall. The council has also launched an intensive monitoring operation on other firework vendors in the surrounding vicinity to ensure compliance with existing regulations. Although the affected stall held a valid permit approved by MBSP for the period of 19 February to 24 March 2026, the severity of the incident has prompted these urgent nationwide precautionary measures.
