Two men have been arrested to assist in the investigation into a firework explosion that occurred during Deepavali celebrations last night, injuring 22 members of the public.
Kulim District Police Chief Superintendent Zulkifli Azizan said following the circulation of a 22-second video of the incident on social media, police managed to track down and detain the two suspects earlier today in Taman Senangin and Paya Besar.
He said the first suspect, a 34-year-old customer service employee from Bandar Baru Sentul, Kuala Lumpur, has one prior criminal record. The second suspect, a 23-year-old shop assistant from Jalan Paya Besar, Lunas, also has one previous record.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that both suspects were old friends. At the time of the incident, they were hanging out with several others in the area,” Zulkifli said in a statement today.
“The first suspect, who was intoxicated, purchased a type of firework known as ‘kelapa’ from a nearby stall for RM200. He then placed the firework inside a metal cylinder located by the roadside while others, including passersby, watched the fireworks display.
“The second suspect later lit the firework, but instead of shooting upward, it exploded at ground level — believed to be due to the first suspect inserting it upside down while drunk.
“The explosion injured 22 people in the vicinity, including one individual who suffered a serious head injury — a fractured skull — and has been referred to Penang Hospital,” he said.
Zulkifli added that police have so far recorded statements from 10 victims to assist in the investigation.
The case is being investigated under Section 8 of the Explosives Act 1958 and Section 326 of the Penal Code for causing grievous hurt.
Earlier reports stated that 22 people were injured following the firework explosion during the Deepavali celebration along Jalan Paya Besar in Kulim at midnight.
