Vendors Need Approval From Police To Sell Fireworks
By Azlan Othman &Achong Tanjong

Bandar Seri Begawan - For next year's Hari Raya festive season, vendors will have to get approval from the police before selling fireworks to the public. The same regulation applies to suppliers, too.

This was stated by Hj Shamsul Bahri, the acting head of the licensing unit for private shops, Municipal Department, during aopress conference yesterday.

The call was made following recent spot checks on stores selling fireworks in the capital and in the Belait District. Hj Shamsul Bahri made it clear that the fireworks were not seized. After the goods were examined at the police station, it was returned to the vendors.

"The spot checks were made at 10am (on Monday) where the fireworks were brought to the police station," he said, adding that the fireworks were returned to the vendors' at around 2.30pm after the police learnt that the goods were on the `approved' list.

He noted that there are 28 types of fireworks that can be legally sold to the public in Brunei. "Once approval has been given by the police, the copy of the approval must be presented to the Municipal Board," he said.

On Monday, police carried out the spot checks to ensure public safety by making sure that laws were upheld by all those who are selling fireworks. Eighteen police personnel including those from the central police station made sure that all vendors had their proper documentation.

The following day, similar spot checks were made at eight retail stores and supermarkets in Kuala Belait. During the operation, the police found some fireworks and firecrackers that were not permitted to be sold to the public. Unauthorised selling of fireworks is an offence under the Arms and Explosives Act Chapter 58. Those found guilty could be slapped with a $1,000 fine.

The police in its weekly report said that they have arrested five people in connection with nine cases under the Explosives Act. They reminded the vendors to adhere to the rules and regulations to prevent any mishaps, especially with Hari Raya being less than two weeks away.

Meanwhile, a representative from MAS' B Trading Company said that the company has authorised Madewa Agensi (B) Sdn Bhd as the sole distributor of their fireworks in the Sultanate. There are over 300 vendors selling the fireworks nationwide.

He said that the company imports the fireworks legally by going through the proper channels. The fireworks are meant for the Hari Raya festivities and Chinese New Year, he added.

The representative from MAS'B Trading Company also showed an approval letter from the police to the media. In the letter, the importer was told to store the fireworks in a safe place and away from public housing before being distributed.

According to him, the company only brings in a `sufficient' volume to cater for the Hari Raya celebration.

He added that the company appreciates that the police are carrying .out their investigations and that the company is giving the police full cooperation.

When asked about the other types of fireworks that are available in the market, the representative from MAS'B Trading Company, said that the `other' types of fireworks were not their products.

He explained that the company does not import other kinds of fireworks aside from the ones that are approved by the relevant authorities. Managing Director of Madewa Agensi (B) Sdn Bhd Mr Wong Ah Chai was among those who attended the press conference, which was held at a restaurant in Gadong. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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