Massive raids on firecrackers
Massive raids on firecrackers
JAKARTA (JP): Worried about the harmful impacts and annoyance
caused to the public by the growing use of firecrackers in the
capital, Governor Sutiyoso ordered, on Monday, all of the city's
five mayoralties to immediately conduct massive raids on the sale
and use of the contraband.
"I've ordered all five mayors to raid and seize all
firecrackers found and take stern punishment (against those found
producing, selling and burning the firecrackers) since it's
against the city bylaw," Sutiyoso told journalists in his office,
referring to the City Bylaw No.11/1998 on public order.
He admitted that the city administration had been too lenient
toward the people by not taking stiffer measures against those
producing, selling and playing with firecrackers.
"Now we have to be stricter," the governor remarked.
"We will confiscate every single firecracker in the capital,
because it could endanger other people's lives," Sutiyoso added.
It has become a tradition for children and adults alike,
across the country, to play with firecrackers during the evenings
of certain religious events, such as the ongoing Ramadhan fasting
month. Many children in their own residential areas have even
treated firecrackers as weapons to attack their rival gangs,
which in many cases has ended in violent brawls or fires.
In the past few years, the city's outskirts have recorded a
number of blasts and fires at buildings used to produce
firecrackers. A number of youths have also been seriously wounded
by the firecrackers.
According to Article 1 of the 1951 Emergency Law, the selling
and possession of fireworks can result in being charged with the
death penalty.
The governor once said that he was embarrassed because several
foreign ambassadors had called him because of the disturbance
that had been caused to them by the sound of firecrackers used by
people living near their residences.
"They cannot rest because of the noise. I am so embarrassed
because of these complaints," he said. (dja)