Firecracker Business Dilemma in the Month of Ramadan

Dangers of the firecracker business and legal actions related to the sale and possession of firecrackers.

KOMPAS/ERWIN EDHI PRASETYA

Remains of a firecracker explosion at a resident's house in Turen Hamlet, Ngemplak Village, Kalikotes District, Klaten, Central Java, Tuesday (6/8/2019).

The firecracker business is like two sides of a coin, it can bring happiness, it can also bring suffering. Don't let the pursuit of profit cost you your future or even your life.

Even though it is prohibited, playing or lighting firecrackers or commonly called fireworks has become a tradition passed down from generation to generation that is difficult to eradicate, especially at certain moments, such as during the month of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr celebrations.

The continued existence of a market for this dangerous type of explosive makes the fireworks business an opportunity to make a profit, even if it has to be done secretly, even ignoring the potential risks.

A number of firecracker explosion incidents that cause material losses and even take lives often occur because firecracker making is usually done illegally at home as a seasonal business. Instead of enlivening a celebration, it turns out to be a disaster.

Kompas reported, just entering the month of Ramadan on Sunday (10/3/2024), a firecracker explosion occurred in Wijirejo Village, Pandak District, Bantul Regency, DI Yogyakarta.

The incident injured four people, who were allegedly mixing firecrackers at the time. The four victims, two of whom were teenagers, suffered burns on several parts of their bodies. Based on an investigation by the Bantul Resort Police, the explosives that exploded consisted of a package of longan booster fertilizer, sulfur, bron and gravel.

KOMPAS/P RADITYA MAHENDRA YASA

The police brought evidence in a case of the circulation of explosive materials for the production of fireworks to the Central Java Regional Police Office in Semarang, Central Java, on Wednesday (5/4/2023).

Following that, there was an incident of firecracker explosion that injured four teenagers, three of whom suffered serious burns after the explosive material in a store in Bulusari Village, Slogohimo Subdistrict, Wonogiri Regency, Central Java, exploded on Sunday (17/3/2024).

Misfortune befell the four teenagers. While mixing firecrackers by mixing three ingredients in a mortar to be crushed, a sudden explosion occurred.

In 2023, Kompas noted that an incident of firecracker explosion was quite surprising because it caused large material losses, even causing casualties. The firecracker explosion at night at around 22.30 occurred in Karangbendo Village, Ponggok District, Blitar Regency, East Java, on February 19 2023.

As a result of the explosion, 4 people have died, 8 others were injured, and 25 residential and worship buildings were damaged. In fact, the explosion was so intense that the house which was the source of the explosion was flattened to the ground. Several houses in the surrounding area also collapsed at the roof level. A number of trees, including coconut trees around the location, also fell down.

Also read: Don't give up, there are still fireworks at the location of the 2023 deadly firecrackers

Raids and malaprocedures

Malprocedures during illegal firecracker mixing activities often trigger explosions. Just by relying on tutorial information for making firecrackers which is very easy to find on social media, plus the ease of getting raw materials for making firecrackers which can be purchased online, people are interested in trying to find their luck. Try the opportunity to make big profits by making and selling firecrackers or re-trading the raw materials.

Seasonal businesses that can bring in quick profits are tempting, attracting the attention and participation of many people. Although such businesses are prohibited, various ways are taken secretly to reap profits.

A firecracker vendor claimed to be able to earn a net profit of Rp 200,000 to Rp 300,000 per night. Meanwhile, it is suspected that manufacturers or producers of firecrackers will receive much higher profits (Kompas.id, March 31, 2023).

Appeals from religious leaders or community figures, as well as bans and legal action by authorities, do not deter or scare the "fans" of firecrackers from pursuing their interests. Raids are also conducted every year to prevent incidents of explosions and create a conducive atmosphere during the holy month of Ramadan. However, firecrackers are still found in many places.

Police raids conducted in several areas discovered attempts to hide this firecracker business. It is suspected to still be related to the explosion incident at a home-based firecrackers business in Bantul, with the Bantul Police successfully apprehending three suspects involved in the production of firecrackers and seizing 30 kilograms of firecracker raw materials during the raid held on Wednesday (27/3/2024).

KOMPAS/P RADITYA MAHENDRA YASA

Children were playing with homemade spirit guns made from PVC pipes and a mixture of spirits used as a substitute for firecrackers in Jatirejo Village, Gunungpati District, Semarang City, Central Java, on Tuesday (5/4/2022).

Dozens of kilograms of fireworks raw materials were confiscated from four different locations. Meanwhile, one person suspected of supplying raw materials for making fireworks is still being pursued.

On Friday (29/3/2024), the Temanggung Police Department in Central Java arrested three individuals involved in producing and selling fireworks. The police seized 10.7 kilograms of ready-to-use fireworks from these three suspects.

The Jatibarang police station, a part of the Indramayu Regional Police in West Java, successfully foiled the smuggling of fireworks that were going to be distributed to the Banten area on Tuesday (2/4/2024). The smuggling was revealed when the perpetrators were about to send one million pieces of matchstick-type fireworks packaged in 100 cartons using an open-back truck. Two perpetrators were arrested in this incident.

As Eid approaches, raids and raids on firecrackers are being promoted by the Bangkalan Police, Madura.

In the past week, the police have seized at least 4,000 firecrackers from two different locations, as well as 2 quintals of gunpowder, aluminum powder, four drums, and other materials or equipment for making firecrackers. This includes thousands of rolls of paper ready to be used as firecracker wrappers.

Also read: Again, 8 Kilograms of Mercon Explode, the Perpetrator's Wife Becomes a Victim

Legal traps for owners of firecracker materials

Enticed by the profits that can be gained from this impromptu business, prohibitions are violated. However, there is a threat of criminal sanctions if the fireworks cause a fire that results in casualties.

Polda Metro Jaya even issued promulgation number mak/0/III/2024 on March 13 2024 to emphasize to the public the things that are prohibited from doing during the holy month of Ramadan in order to maintain security and public order. The things in question include sahur on the road, wild racing, and lighting firecrackers.

People caught red-handed carrying firecrackers will be charged under Emergency Law Number 12 of 1951.

Article 1 Paragraph (1) of Law No. 12/1951 stipulates: "Whoever, without the right, imports into Indonesia, makes, receives, attempts to obtain, delivers or attempts to deliver, possesses, carries, has in stock or owns, stores, transports, hides, uses, or exports from Indonesia any firearms, ammunition or any explosive material, shall be punished by death or life imprisonment or a temporary prison sentence of up to 20 years."

KOMPAS/REGINA RUKMORINI

A resident sees the damage caused by the explosion of fireworks in Jebengsari Village, Salaman District, Magelang Regency, Central Java, on Thursday (20/4/2023).

In addition, regulations related to criminal offenses involving fireworks or explosives are stated in Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code (KUHP).

Based on Article 308, it is stated that anyone who causes a fire, explosion or flood will be subject to a crime ranging from imprisonment for a maximum of 9 years if because of this action there is a danger to public safety for people or property .

Then, maximum imprisonment of 12 years if such act causes severe injury to others. In addition, the maximum imprisonment is 15 years if such act results in loss of life. Besides endangering people, the consequences of possessing or selling it without permission also include years of imprisonment, even up to a dozen years.

Considering the negative effects and potential dangers posed by firecrackers, educating the community needs to be intensified. Several incidents of explosions due to firecrackers can serve as a lesson. Don't let the desire for profit become a target, even a yearly one, in prison. (KOMPAS RESEARCH)

Also read: Firecracker Explosion in Blitar, Four Dead and Dozens of Houses Damaged