Penang tightens fireworks sales rules ahead of 2027 Chinese New Year

The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has unveiled stricter safety regulations for fireworks traders in Penang in anticipation of the 2027 Chinese New Year festivities. These new rules prohibit sales in proximity to petrol stations and require additional licensing conditions to safeguard public welfare. The MBPP announced that applications for the 2027 Chinese New Year Seasonal Temporary Stall Licence are now available online until December 31, while applications for the Seasonal Temporary Stall Licence specifically for fireworks sales are open until November 30.

The permissible operating period for seasonal temporary stalls is set from January 13 to February 20, 2027, whereas fireworks sales are restricted to the period from January 13 to February 11, 2027, contingent on police authorization. The council clarified that possessing a Seasonal Temporary Stall Licence does not automatically grant traders permission to sell fireworks; a separate approval and permit from the police are mandatory.

Traders are strictly prohibited from operating near high-risk areas such as petrol stations or any sites deemed unsuitable by authorities. The chosen sales location must also be approved by the council. To ensure safety during sales, traders must have fire extinguishing equipment ready, store fireworks in compliance with safety standards and police directives, and maintain cleanliness and orderliness in the sales area, avoiding the presence of unrelated flammable materials.

Smoking, burning, or testing fireworks at the sales site is strictly forbidden. Non-compliance with police permits may lead to the revocation of the MBPP licence without prior warning. All traders must adhere to the approved site dimensions, ensuring that business equipment, including chairs and tables, remain within the designated stall area to prevent obstructing pedestrian pathways.

For food stalls, traders and employees must be vaccinated against typhoid, avoid direct contact with food items, and uphold personal hygiene at all times. The council discourages the usage of polystyrene containers for packaging or food presentation and mandates a transition towards cashless transactions, using one's own bags to reduce single-use plastics, and abstaining from the use of plastic straws.

Non-compliance with these regulations may result in appropriate actions, including the revocation of the licences. Both applications for the licences can be submitted online through the ulesen.mbpp.gov.my portal.