Rendi A. Witular
\nThe Jakarta Post
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
Even though the city police have threatened to impose stern
\nmeasures against the production, sale and possession of
\npotentially-dangerous firecrackers, people are indifferent
\ntowards the threat.<\/p>\n
In Tanah Abang market, Central Jakarta, dozens of vendors sell
\nfirecrackers freely, ignoring the police officers who watch them
\nlanguidly from their posts a few meters away from the so-called
\nillegal businesses.<\/p>\n
The scene could also be seen in other places such as in Senen
\nmarket in Central Jakarta, Jatinegara market in East Jakarta, and
\na shopping center in Blok M, South Jakarta.<\/p>\n
They sell various type of firecrackers, such as janwe (flying
\nfirecrackers), korek (match firecracker), and jeler (serial
\nfirecrackers), which are favored highly by buyers. But larger and
\npotentially dangerous kudus, a large firecracker that packs a
\npowerful explosion, are also available.<\/p>\n
Jakarta's Center for Control on Social Tension, a division of
\nthe city administration, recorded that on the eve of Idul Fitri
\nlast year alone, firecrackers severely burned 19 people. Many
\nvictims suffered serious burns to the face while at least one
\nvictim had a limb amputated. During Ramadhan last year, a total
\nof 70 serious injuries were reported, but no deaths.<\/p>\n
Last week, City Police Deputy Chief Brig. Gen. Makbu
\nPadmanegara and City Governor Sutiyoso pledged to ban the
\npossession and production of firecrackers by imposing Emergency
\nLaw No.12\/1951, which carries a maximum sentence of death or life
\nimprisonment.<\/p>\n
City police spokesman, Snr.Com. Anton Bachrul Alam confirmed
\nthat the Emergency Law was currently in force but the punishment
\ndepended on the severity of the violation which was assessed by
\nthe courts.<\/p>\n
Anton added that during Ramadhan police had confiscated nearly
\n20 million firecrackers with 120 suspects detained and charged
\nunder the emergency law. While the judicial outcomes remain to be
\nseen, the police action was apparently taken not only because the
\nfirecrackers are dangerous, but also because they are annoying.<\/p>\n
Yet, firecracker vendors and users are ignorant of the threat.<\/p>\n
Iyem, 35, a seller of firecrackers in the Tanah Abang market
\nsaid, bitterly, that the threat was unfair to small sellers like
\nher.<\/p>\n
"How come the corruptors, who scam billions from the state
\nbudget could walk free, while we, who are just trying to survive,
\nare threatened with such harsh punishment," she said.<\/p>\n
Iyem said the money she generated was appealing. With only Rp
\n500,000 (US$50) as capital, she could gain a return of Rp
\n1,500,000 in a month.<\/p>\n
The buyers also have their own reasons. Hanafi, 47, a Betawian
\n(native Jakartan) said: "I bought this for my kids back home. It
\nhas been our tradition to celebrate the Takbiran (parades and
\nprayers on the eve of Idul Fitri) and if we don't hear the sounds
\nof firecrackers it would be like food without salt."<\/p>\n
Asked on the implementation of the emergency law, Hanafi, said
\nthat the authorities must be kidding, as it was impossible to
\nclear the city of firecrackers as it was a tradition adhered to
\namong the Betawians.<\/p>\n
Firecrackers are made from five chemical substances, including
\nsulfur, potassium chloride, carbon, saltpeter, and bromine.<\/p>\n
The most lethal and prominent substance among the five is
\npotassium chloride, which can be easily found at several chemical
\nwholesalers like those along Jl. Gadjah Mada and Jl. Hayam Wuruk,
\nCentral Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Potassium chloride, which is sold for around Rp 5,000 per
\nkilogram, is commonly used everyday for bleach, tooth paste, fish
\npoison, and explosions to catch fish.<\/p>\n
Without any restriction on the transaction of the chemicals,
\nattempts by the authorities to eradicate firecrackers are futile.<\/p>\n
According to chief of the Jakarta Police's laboratory and
\nforensic department, Brig. Gen. Hamim Soeryaamidjaja, potassium
\nchloride must comprise at least 70 percent of a firecracker.<\/p>\n
Explosions may happen if the composition of the other
\nsubstances is added disproportionately.<\/p>\n
Hamim added that even a small firecracker could severely
\ninjure a person.<\/p>\n
"When it explodes near your eyes or face then you'll be
\npermanently blind or disfigured," he said.<\/p>\n
Firecrackers can also create public nuisance.<\/p>\n
Syari, 25, a resident of Meruya Ilir, West Jakarta, said that
\nher family was greatly irritated by the noise, which once shocked
\nher nine-month niece. She appealed to authorities to ban the use
\nof firecrackers among children.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/rendi-a-witular-1447899208",
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