Some love firecrackers, some hate them

Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Many people say that not only are firecrackers and fireworks annoying, they are also illegal and downright dangerous.

So, how is it that so many people, especially young people, enjoy playing with them, especially during Ramadhan.

"It's entertaining, I like it," said Yusuf, 16, who lives in the Jagakarsa area of South Jakarta.

He said he enjoyed the thrill of running away after lighting the fuses of fireworks.

Yusuf, who always played with fireworks with his friends, admitted that his gang liked to scare people.

"It's good to see people get a fright and run away after we set off a firecracker," the senior high school student told The Jakarta Post.

His pleasure, however, is other people's pain.

One of his neighbors complained that the youths usually set off firecrackers from as early as 2 a.m., when everybody was still asleep, until it was time for the predawn meal.

"It really bothers me. Many people have told them to stop playing with those things, but the kids won't listen," she said, adding that she wished the police would put them in jail for a day or two so that they would be deterred from antisocial behavior.

On Thursday, Jakarta Police deputy chief Brig. Gen. Makbul Padmanagara said that the producers, distributors and users of firecrackers could be charged under the public nuisance article of the Criminal Code.

He also warned that they could even be charged with illegal possession of ammunition, which carries a maximum penalty of death or life imprisonment.

Yusuf's friend, Andi, admitted that firecrackers were dangerous. "I know they could endanger our lives. That's why I always use a longer fuse."

He was confident that he would have enough time to get to safety if the firecrackers had longer fuses.

Was he not aware that many people hated firecrackers?

"I know the noise disturbs people here, but we only get them once a year," he argued.

He said that even his parents were angry at him for playing with firecrackers, but he just ignored them.

Separately, Misto, a company employee, said that playing with fireworks was a tradition for the Betawi people (native Jakartans).

"We always play with them during Ramadhan or to celebrate a wedding," said Misto, who is a Betawi.

In the past, according to Misto, people made fireworks themselves.

He did not accept that playing with firecrackers was a crime.

"I am not afraid if the police decide to arrest firecracker users. Many people play with them. Will the police arrest them all?" he asked.

Several vendors at Palmerah market, Central Jakarta, said they sold firecrackers and fireworks because consumers asked for them. They sold them for between Rp 1,000 to Rp 5,000 each, depending on the size.

"Of course, I'm worried that the police could arrest me. But the other vendors do it too," said a firecracker vendor, who requested anonymity.