Johor Man Arrested for Viral Firecracker Video on Public Road

A 21-year-old man was arrested in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, on Saturday following the circulation of a video depicting the dangerous discharge of firecrackers on a public road, according to police reports issued Sunday.

Acting Seri Alam district police chief Victor Genason stated that authorities identified the 53-second video on Facebook and initiated an investigation into the incident. The incident reportedly occurred around 11 p.m. On March 18th in the Seri Alam area.

Police apprehended the suspect at Kampung Pasir Putih on Saturday night, based on information gathered during the investigation. Authorities confirmed the individual has no prior criminal record.

The case is being investigated under Section 286 of the Penal Code, pertaining to negligent conduct with explosive substances. This follows a period where the use of fireworks and firecrackers has been observed in Johor Bahru, particularly around Chinese New Year celebrations, as documented in social media posts from January 2025.

Police are urging the public to avoid speculation and the dissemination of unverified information, emphasizing the need for a fair and thorough investigation. “Public cooperation is greatly appreciated to ensure that the investigation can be carried out thoroughly and fairly,” Genason said in a statement.

The incident comes after a statement issued during Chinese New Year in 2025 regarding permitted firecrackers, specifically Pop-Pop and Happy Boom, according to a Facebook post from January 31, 2025.