Fireworks mishap: Handlers unlicensed, say cops

SHAH ALAM: Police have identified four people in the New Year’s Eve fireworks show mishap at the Pandamaran Sports Complex in Port Klang.
Selangor police chief Commissioner Datuk Abdul Samah Mat Abdul Samah said yesterday that the fireworks handler hired by the Klang Municipal Council (MPK) for the event was unlicensed and not certified.
“We have a list of those that are certified and these particular handlers were not on the list,” he said.
He said certified handlers need to get licences from the Minerals and Geoscience Department and also the police before they are allowed to handle fireworks.
“Police have advised them to voluntarily come forward to aid in the investigations,” he said at a press conference at the Selangor District police headquarters today.
Fourteen people including four children suffered minor injuries and burns when several fireworks exploded into the New Year revellers instead of going off in the sky.
On the event, Abdul Samah said MPK needed to get permission from the Home Ministry and the district police chief.
The fireworks were among the highlights of a three-day carnival,” Fiesta Gegar Klang 2016”, from Dec 30 to Jan 1, organised by MPK.
State executive council-lor for local government, Ean Yong Hian Wah said the fireworks display was never approved for the event.
He said MPK found that it was not part of the celebrations and was not on the programme.
Ean Yong added that the state government views the incident seriously and will take legal or disciplinary action against any officials found to be negligent.