Beautiful & Legal Fireworks Were Released in Bukit Batok on 8 June

In Singapore, everything deemed dangerous by the Government is banned.

Bubblegum? Poses a threat to others by getting stuck on the doors of lifts and trains. On the bright side, at least we have bubble tea.

Bringing Durians on public transport? Unpopular opinion but Thank God it is banned.

Guns? Are you out of your mind? Think of Yishun, then think again.

Shisha? The flavored tobacco is said to have greater health effects than smoking a regular smoking. Need I explain more?

Recreational fireworks? Might start a fire somewhere, it’s noisy and contributes to pollution.

But let’s face it: fireworks are a beauty which never fails to turn heads.

For those living in Singapore however, opportunities to admire them are hard to come by. The annual National Day Parade, Outdoor concerts and Music Festivals, and Countdown parties are probably the only times you’d get to cross paths with them.

But if you live in Bukit Batok, you might have been one of the lucky ones who saw these beautiful flaming butterflies last week.

Display of fireworks came to a surprise to many in the West

On 8 June 2019 (Saturday), residents in Bukit Batok had front row seats to an exclusively breath-taking view which lasted for five whole minutes. This occurrence was even rarer than successfully catching a rare Pokemon.

As aforementioned, legal fireworks are a thing and according to Mothership, this unexpected display of fireworks was in fact, you guessed it – legal. This was supported by Stomp who mentioned that the School “had applied for a permit to set off the fireworks”.

It was also reported that the fireworks were set off at Dulwich College, an international school, in celebration of its Founder’s Day.

According to Facebook user, Ken Wang, it was the school’s 5th year in Singapore, and 400th year in the United Kingdom.

In case you’re a curious cat who resides in the opposite end of Singapore, here’s what you missed:

Beautiful, isn’t it? And did you know that this used to be legal?

Setting off fireworks wasn’t always illegal

According to the National Library Board, fireworks were free-for-all before its official ban in 1 August 1972 under the Dangerous Fireworks Act. Under this Act, nobody is allowed to possess, set off and sell or distribute fireworks. Offenders are liable to a fine between S$2,000 and S$10,000, and/or receive a jail term of up to 2 years.

With that said, fireworks are allowed at certain events (i.e. Music Festivals) where appropriate safety precautions have been adopted.

Setting off fireworks and firecrackers have been part of a long old Chinese tradition. With majority of Singaporeans constituting the Chinese, especially in the past, it was a real struggle for the Government to take real action in banning these activities.

Fireworks have been banned for good reason – there have been a large number of fires and injuries attributed to the explosive device.

According to the National Library Board, 150 fires that broke out during the Chinese New Year festivities in 1968 and a third of it was caused by fireworks. In 1970, during the same period of Chinese New Year, “the indiscriminate use of fireworks killed six people, injured 25 others, and damaged up to $560,390 worth of property.”