Firecracker problem

Firecracker problem

From Warta Kota

Playing with firecrackers in the street has been customary in Jakarta and certain other cities and towns particularly during the Ramadhan fasting month ending with the annual celebration of Idul Fitri throughout the Islamic world.

In Indonesia, newspapers have repeatedly reported the dangers of playing with firecrackers in particular in the streets. Injuries and fatalities from exploding fireworks involve not only road users but also pedestrians including women and children among the victims.

The government and the police along with NGOs have made efforts to stop the prohibited dangerous firecracker "games" including confiscating stocks of firecrackers and those sold in the streets, however, they do not seem to have been successful.

I am of the opinion that there should be close cooperation between the parties concerned like private manufacturers of firecrackers, law enforcement officials, and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to overcome the problem. Perhaps the following is what they should do:

The ministry should be proactive in organizing various big events which include an aerial fireworks display for amusement purposes. This way, I think, people will be happy and manufacturers will not have to close because if they are closed, certain people will be jobless and others will suffer losses. In the meantime, local authorities should supervise the events and anticipate any problems. This way the law continues to be enforced without causing loss to the people and people -- especially pedestrians and other road users -- are protected.

WARTA KUSUMAH

Tangerang, West Java