Police threats to clamp down on firecrackers ignored

Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Even though the city police have threatened to impose stern measures against the production, sale and possession of potentially-dangerous firecrackers, people are indifferent towards the threat.

In Tanah Abang market, Central Jakarta, dozens of vendors sell firecrackers freely, ignoring the police officers who watch them languidly from their posts a few meters away from the so-called illegal businesses.

The scene could also be seen in other places such as in Senen market in Central Jakarta, Jatinegara market in East Jakarta, and a shopping center in Blok M, South Jakarta.

They sell various type of firecrackers, such as janwe (flying firecrackers), korek (match firecracker), and jeler (serial firecrackers), which are favored highly by buyers. But larger and potentially dangerous kudus, a large firecracker that packs a powerful explosion, are also available.

Jakarta's Center for Control on Social Tension, a division of the city administration, recorded that on the eve of Idul Fitri last year alone, firecrackers severely burned 19 people. Many victims suffered serious burns to the face while at least one victim had a limb amputated. During Ramadhan last year, a total of 70 serious injuries were reported, but no deaths.

Last week, City Police Deputy Chief Brig. Gen. Makbu Padmanegara and City Governor Sutiyoso pledged to ban the possession and production of firecrackers by imposing Emergency Law No.12/1951, which carries a maximum sentence of death or life imprisonment.

City police spokesman, Snr.Com. Anton Bachrul Alam confirmed that the Emergency Law was currently in force but the punishment depended on the severity of the violation which was assessed by the courts.

Anton added that during Ramadhan police had confiscated nearly 20 million firecrackers with 120 suspects detained and charged under the emergency law. While the judicial outcomes remain to be seen, the police action was apparently taken not only because the firecrackers are dangerous, but also because they are annoying.

Yet, firecracker vendors and users are ignorant of the threat.

Iyem, 35, a seller of firecrackers in the Tanah Abang market said, bitterly, that the threat was unfair to small sellers like her.

"How come the corruptors, who scam billions from the state budget could walk free, while we, who are just trying to survive, are threatened with such harsh punishment," she said.

Iyem said the money she generated was appealing. With only Rp 500,000 (US$50) as capital, she could gain a return of Rp 1,500,000 in a month.

The buyers also have their own reasons. Hanafi, 47, a Betawian (native Jakartan) said: "I bought this for my kids back home. It has been our tradition to celebrate the Takbiran (parades and prayers on the eve of Idul Fitri) and if we don't hear the sounds of firecrackers it would be like food without salt."

Asked on the implementation of the emergency law, Hanafi, said that the authorities must be kidding, as it was impossible to clear the city of firecrackers as it was a tradition adhered to among the Betawians.

Firecrackers are made from five chemical substances, including sulfur, potassium chloride, carbon, saltpeter, and bromine.

The most lethal and prominent substance among the five is potassium chloride, which can be easily found at several chemical wholesalers like those along Jl. Gadjah Mada and Jl. Hayam Wuruk, Central Jakarta.

Potassium chloride, which is sold for around Rp 5,000 per kilogram, is commonly used everyday for bleach, tooth paste, fish poison, and explosions to catch fish.

Without any restriction on the transaction of the chemicals, attempts by the authorities to eradicate firecrackers are futile.

According to chief of the Jakarta Police's laboratory and forensic department, Brig. Gen. Hamim Soeryaamidjaja, potassium chloride must comprise at least 70 percent of a firecracker.

Explosions may happen if the composition of the other substances is added disproportionately.

Hamim added that even a small firecracker could severely injure a person.

"When it explodes near your eyes or face then you'll be permanently blind or disfigured," he said.

Firecrackers can also create public nuisance.

Syari, 25, a resident of Meruya Ilir, West Jakarta, said that her family was greatly irritated by the noise, which once shocked her nine-month niece. She appealed to authorities to ban the use of firecrackers among children.