Selling firecrackers online, including through the social media, is unlawful and stern action will be taken against anyone found doing so, said inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar today.

However, he said, the police had not received any report on the sale of firecrackers through the Internet.

“I hope operators of delivery services, like Pos Laju, will cooperate with the police to prevent such a doing,” he told Bernama when asked on the matter.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), in a statement sent to Bernama today, said the commission would provide technical assistance to the police, if required, to address the matter.

This included identifying the suspect, providing forensic expertise, and if necessary, blocking of the website, it said.

Checks by Bernama found at sale of firecrackers on at least seven websites as well as through the smartphone applications WhatsApp and Instagram.

The websites concerned posted images of the various types of firecrackers, at a price of RM3 to RM260 per box.

The websites concerned use the name ‘Mercun Raya 2016', ‘Mercun RAYA 2016 baru’, ‘Bungapi & Mercun@skyblast’, ‘Mercun Online Store (mercun_online)’, ‘mercun_bunga_api_lcm’, ‘Kedai Bunga Api Raya’ and ‘Mercun Raya’.

Prospecting buyers are required to make payments through bank accounts and given the option to either receive the goods by hand at promised location or by post.

- Bernama