GEORGE TOWN, February 11 – The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) will review and strengthen its standard operating procedures on the sale of balloons and the use of gas following an incident during Thaipusam celebrations on Feb 1 in which gas-filled balloons exploded and injured two enforcement officers.
MBPP Mayor Datuk R. Rajendran said the review will focus on the types of gas permitted, stricter on-site inspections and improved enforcement, noting that while a ban on gas-filled balloons is already in place, enforcement on the ground must be tightened to prevent similar incidents.
Speaking after attending a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony with the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso), Rajendran said one injured officer remains hospitalised but is in stable condition.
The incident occurred when confiscated balloons exploded during enforcement operations, prompting MBPP to also review procedures related to seizure, documentation and handling of non-compliant traders to enhance officer and public safety.
At the same event, Perkeso and MBPP signed an MoU to close the social protection gap among self-employed individuals, particularly hawkers and small traders, under the Skim Lindung Kendiri. Perkeso Group CEO Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed said only about 10 per cent of the country’s 3.26 million self-employed workers are currently contributing to the scheme.
Adding that Penang is the first state to formalise such collaboration with a local authority, aimed at strengthening social security coverage and serving as a model for councils nationwide.
