GEORGE TOWN: Two Penang Island City Council (MBPP) enforcement officers were injured after gas-filled balloons they had seized exploded during the Thaipusam celebrations here. The officers had earlier confiscated the balloons from a trader along Jalan Kebun Bunga who had ignored council orders to stop selling them without a valid trading permit. The seized balloons and related equipment were brought to the council’s Licensing Department office in Lebuh Union for disposal. While releasing the gas from the balloons in the absence of members of the public, an explosion and fire occurred, injuring the officers. “The rear section of an MBPP vehicle was also damaged by fire, along with the seized equipment,” the statement said.

Source: The Star February 02, 2026 07:25 UTC