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Monday with the Editor: Firecrackers reappear after 30 years
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Hallo
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Last Saturday, firecrackers made
its first appearance since the Government banned it in Singapore in 1972 -
more than 30 years ago.
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I had a fun-filled childhood when
these little things were a common sight in the 1960's. In fact, if I remember
correctly, I last let off firecrackers in 1970, when I was in Primary 6.
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The next year, the Government
imposed a partial ban, followed by a blanket ban in 1972. Since then, I have
sorely missed having to put up with the thunderous noise made by these
firecrackers on Chinese New Year's Eve when every Chinese household, rich or
poor, would sling a whole roll of firecrackers over their HDB corridor parapet
before lighting it up. And, come morning, the entire neigbourhood would be
covered in a sea of red paper.
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Modern-day video arcades and
Gameboy-type gadgets can never rival the fun which the simple firecrackers
brought us babyboomers then. Those below 40 today are unable to appreciate the
nostalgic attachment that we babyboomers as well as those older felt over the
weekend when some 10,000 firecrackers exploded in unison over the pedestrian
bridge between Chinatown and People's Park Complex.
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The Government was right in
allowing firecrackers to reappear in Singapore after such a long time. We need
something lively to welcome the Chinese New Year. Of course, now that
firecrackers have reappeared here, many people have started asking themselves
whether they would soon be allowed to let off firecrackers in the housing
estates.
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But, we must not forget the events
that led to the banning of firecrackers in Singapore. In February 1970, six
people were killed, 68 were injured and S$350,000 worth of damage to
properties was incurred as a result of explosions and fires caused by
firecrackers. That year, the Government imposed a partial ban.
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In spite of the partial ban, nine
people were injured during the Chinese New Year period in 1971. And in 1972,
two unarmed policemen were attacked brutally when they tried to stop a group
of people who were firing firecrackers unlawfully. So, in June 1972, the
Government implemented the Dangerous Fireworks Act and imposed a total ban on
firecrackers.
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I am not against reintroducing
firecrackers here. On the contrary, I am all for it. When DMP Lee Hsien Loong
was asked whether housing estates would get a chance to see the letting off of
firecrackers, he reportedly said that we should take one step at a time. I
agree with him. We wouldn't want a repeat of what happened in the early 1970s,
would we?
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Have a good week!
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Public Holidays
CHINESE NEW YEAR is the next public
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