Deepavali Fireworks Laws in Malaysia 2026: Explosives Act, Police Licences and Displays

Diwali 2026 › Deepavali fireworks laws Malaysia

Legal information last verified: 25 October 2026. Partly verified: the rules below are from official sources, but some points still need official confirmation (see "What we could not verify").

Quick answer: can you use fireworks for Deepavali in Malaysia?

• Fireworks are "explosives" under the Explosives Act 1957, which expressly lists fireworks and rockets. Explosives Act 1957 (Act 207), Laws of Malaysia reprint...
• The Act lets the Minister prohibit explosives that cause danger or annoyance to the public by Gazette notification, and breaching such a notification is punishable by up to 5 years in prison, a fine of RM10,000, or both (2006 reprint). Explosives Act 1957 (Act 207), Laws of Malaysia reprint...
• Importing fireworks is prohibited except under defined conditions and needs an import licence from the Chief Police Officer. WTO Quantitative Restrictions database: Malaysia #6464 (v.4),...
• A fireworks display needs policy approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) and an application through the nearest district police headquarters. Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM): Panduan Permohonan (licensing...
• We could not confirm from an official gazette or government statement which types, if any, households may use for Deepavali 2026. Ask your district police headquarters before you buy anything.

Fireworks under the Explosives Act 1957

Malaysia's Explosives Act 1957 (Act 207) defines "explosive" to include any substance used to produce a pyrotechnic effect, and the definition names fireworks and rockets. Explosives Act 1957 (Act 207), Laws of Malaysia reprint...

Section 4 lets the Minister, by notification in the Gazette, prohibit the manufacture, possession or import of any explosive that causes danger or annoyance to the public, either absolutely or subject to conditions. Explosives Act 1957 (Act 207), Laws of Malaysia reprint...

Section 26 lets the Minister make regulations that prohibit the manufacture, possession, use, sale, storage, transport, import or export of explosives except under a licence, and that exempt particular classes. Explosives Act 1957 (Act 207), Laws of Malaysia reprint... The Act caps penalties under such regulations at 2 years or RM2,000 for possessing or using an explosive, and 1 year or RM1,000 for selling one. Explosives Act 1957 (Act 207), Laws of Malaysia reprint...

Those penalty figures come from the official 2006 reprint of the Act. The Act may have been amended since, so treat them as a guide only.

Buying and importing fireworks

In its notification to the World Trade Organization, Malaysia describes a prohibition on importing fireworks, except under defined conditions, based on the Explosives Act 1957, the Explosive Rules 1923 and the Customs (Prohibition of Imports) Order 2023. WTO Quantitative Restrictions database: Malaysia #6464 (v.4),...

Import must be accompanied by an import licence from the Chief Police Officer, and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) administers the restriction. WTO Quantitative Restrictions database: Malaysia #6464 (v.4),...

Do not bring fireworks or firecrackers into Malaysia in your luggage, and be cautious about products sold online or from roadside stalls: whether a product is lawful depends on the current notifications and licences, which we could not read.

Is there a Deepavali exemption?

Firecracker rules around Malaysian festivals are often reported in the news, but we did not find an official gazette notification or government statement listing which fireworks may be used for Deepavali 2026. We therefore do not repeat any list on this page.

If you want to use any fireworks at home, ask the nearest district police headquarters (Ibu Pejabat Polis Daerah) what is allowed in 2026, and keep to its answer.

Temple and community fireworks displays

According to the PDRM application guide, anyone who wants to import fireworks and hold a fireworks display or theatrical pyrotechnic effects must apply in writing to the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kementerian Dalam Negeri, KDN) for policy approval, then deal with the nearest district police headquarters. Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM): Panduan Permohonan (licensing...

The licence application uses form Pol. 122 from the district police headquarters and is approved by KDN. Applicants attach copies of identity cards for the applicant and the shotfirer, a pyrotechnic expert certificate, insurance for the display and company registration documents. Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM): Panduan Permohonan (licensing...

PDRM lists a processing period of 30 days for this licence, so a temple planning a display on Deepavali night, Sunday 8 November, should apply by early October. Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM): Jenis Permohonan (application types...

Because the application needs a pyrotechnic expert certificate and a shotfirer, a temple or association will usually work with a professional pyrotechnic company. Check with the venue owner and local council about any event permit as well; we did not verify council rules.

What the official sources say about fireworks in Malaysia

Each point below is taken from the official source linked after it. Read the source itself before you rely on it.

• Under the Explosives Act 1957, "explosive" includes any substance used to produce a pyrotechnic effect, and expressly includes fireworks and rockets. Explosives Act 1957 (Act 207), Laws of Malaysia reprint...
• Section 4 lets the Minister, by notification in the Gazette, prohibit the manufacture, possession or import of any explosive that causes danger or annoyance to the public. Explosives Act 1957 (Act 207), Laws of Malaysia reprint...
• Breaching a section 4 notification is punishable by imprisonment for 5 years, a fine of RM10,000, or both (2006 reprint). Explosives Act 1957 (Act 207), Laws of Malaysia reprint...
• Section 26 lets the Minister make regulations to regulate or prohibit, except under a licence, the manufacture, possession, use, sale, storage, transport, import or export of explosives, and to exempt classes of explosives. Explosives Act 1957 (Act 207), Laws of Malaysia reprint...
• Penalties set by such regulations are capped at 2 years or RM2,000 for possessing or using an explosive, and 1 year or RM1,000 for selling one (2006 reprint). Explosives Act 1957 (Act 207), Laws of Malaysia reprint...
• Malaysia told the WTO that the import of fireworks is prohibited except under defined conditions, under the Explosives Act 1957, the Explosive Rules 1923 and the Customs (Prohibition of Imports) Order 2023. WTO Quantitative Restrictions database: Malaysia #6464 (v.4),...
• Importing fireworks requires an import licence from the Chief Police Officer, and the Royal Malaysia Police administers the restriction. WTO Quantitative Restrictions database: Malaysia #6464 (v.4),...
• To import fireworks and hold a fireworks display, the applicant writes to the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) for policy approval, then deals with the nearest district police headquarters. Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM): Panduan Permohonan (licensing...
• The display licence uses form Pol. 122 from the district police headquarters, is approved by KDN, and needs copies of identity cards, a pyrotechnic expert certificate, insurance and company registration documents. Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM): Panduan Permohonan (licensing...
• PDRM lists a processing period of 30 days for a licence to import fireworks and hold a theatrical pyrotechnic effects display. Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM): Jenis Permohonan (application types...

Deepavali 2026 dates in Malaysia and the fireworks rules

HinduTone's Drik Panchang-aligned calendar lists Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) on Sunday 8 November 2026 for this region, with Dhanteras on Friday 6 November, Govardhan Puja on Tuesday 10 November and Bhai Dooj on Wednesday 11 November. Naraka Chaturdashi falls on the morning of the same day as Diwali. The dates differ from India because the tithis are calculated for local time.

None of the official sources we read gives Deepavali any special status for fireworks, so the dates above do not change the rules on this page.

Key rules in Malaysia at a glance

What we could not verify

These points are still open. Do not treat them as settled until the official authority confirms them:

• Which fireworks or firecracker types, if any, the government allows for festivals such as Deepavali in 2026. We found no official gazette or government statement, and our web search was unavailable while we researched.
• The current Gazette notification under section 4 of the Explosives Act that applies to firecrackers, and its exact wording.
• Amendments to the Explosives Act made after the 2006 reprint, which may have changed the penalties shown here.
• Rules on buying, minimum age and permitted times for personal use.
• Local council rules for fireworks in parks and public places.
• Any Deepavali 2026 public fireworks display announced by a government body.

Diwali fireworks safety tips for Malaysia

• Ask your district police headquarters before buying any fireworks for Deepavali, and never buy unlabelled products.
• In a flat or condominium, follow the management's rules on open flames and never light fireworks or sparklers in corridors or stairwells.
• Read the label before dark. The product category and the safety distance printed on it are the legal and practical limits for your garden or yard.
• Keep diyas and candles away from curtains, rangoli powder piles, saris and dupattas, and never leave a lit diya unattended.
• Never light fireworks indoors, on a balcony, under trees or near parked cars, and never point them at people, homes or animals.
• Keep a bucket of water or a hose ready, and soak every spent firework before it goes into the bin.
• Buy only from a licensed or registered seller in the jurisdiction where you will use the fireworks, and keep the packaging so the product category and instructions stay with it.

Lawful ways to celebrate Diwali without fireworks

• Deepavali open house: the Malaysian tradition of welcoming friends and neighbours of every community with food and kolam needs no permit and no fireworks.
• Clay diyas: a row of oil lamps at the door and windows is the heart of Deepavali and needs no permit. Stand each one on a metal plate or a tray of sand.
• LED diyas and string lights: battery diyas are safe for balconies, dormitories, rented flats and anywhere open flames are restricted.
• Rangoli: a coloured-powder, rice-flour or flower rangoli at the entrance welcomes Lakshmi and gives children a creative part in the festival.
• Temple and community celebrations: most Hindu temples and community associations hold Lakshmi Puja, aarti and cultural programmes during Diwali week; check their own website or notice board for the 2026 schedule.
• Authorised public displays: a professional display run under a permit or licence gives the family a fireworks moment without the legal risk.
• Quiet celebrations: music, bhajans, a diya-lit dinner or a lantern walk on your own property avoid noise complaints and fire risk.

Who to contact

For what is allowed in your area, contact the nearest district police headquarters (Ibu Pejabat Polis Daerah). For display licences, see the PDRM licensing guide. In an emergency, call 999.

Frequently asked questions

Are fireworks legal for Deepavali in Malaysia?

Fireworks are explosives under the Explosives Act 1957, and the Act lets the Minister prohibit or license them. We found no official source listing types allowed for Deepavali 2026, so ask your district police headquarters before using any.

Can I bring fireworks into Malaysia?

Malaysia says the import of fireworks is prohibited except under defined conditions, and import needs a licence from the Chief Police Officer. Do not carry fireworks in your luggage.

What is the penalty for illegal fireworks in Malaysia?

Under the 2006 reprint of the Explosives Act, breaching a section 4 prohibition is punishable by up to 5 years in prison, a fine of RM10,000, or both. Later amendments may have changed this.

How does a temple get a fireworks display permit in Malaysia?

Apply in writing to the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) for policy approval, then to the nearest district police headquarters using form Pol. 122, with a pyrotechnic expert certificate and insurance. PDRM lists 30 days for processing.

Is there a Deepavali exemption for firecrackers?

We could not confirm one. Festival firecracker rules are often reported in the news, but we found no official gazette or government statement for Deepavali 2026.

Important

This page is general information, not legal advice; local rules and temporary fire bans can change. Always check with the official authority for your exact address before buying or using fireworks.

Editor's note (25 October 2026): HinduTone checked the rules on this page against the official reprint of the Explosives Act 1957, Malaysia's WTO notification and the Royal Malaysia Police licensing pages on 25 October 2026. We review this guide every year before Deepavali; the next scheduled review is 15 September 2027. This is not an official government statement; check with the Royal Malaysia Police.

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• Diwali cracker safety precautions
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