In a viral , a user brought up the question of regulations while sharing a video of devotees getting ready to burn substantial piles of joss paper on Jalan Sekama in Kuching, Sarawak. According to , hundreds of believers gathered at the parking lot in front of a coffeeshop there to commemorate the Hungry Ghost Festival on Sunday, 18 August. The entire seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar is believed to be when the gates of heaven and hell open, allowing spirits to wander the realm of the living.
To appease these spirits and provide them with comfort, devotees burn joss paper, which comes in the form of material items such as luxury cars, homes, clothes, and furniture. This ritual is intended to ensure that the spirits have adequate resources in the afterlife and to prevent them from causing mischief or harm to the living. With discussions about its environmental and social impacts, many netizens called for the introduction of regulations to manage the practice more effectively.
Currently, according to , open burning for religious or cultural activities is exempt from open burning restrictions under Section 29A of the Environmental Quality Act 1974. This has allowed the tradition to continue largely unregulated. According to , the issue of joss paper burning is also prominent in Singapore.
However, authorities have sought compromise between respecting religious and cultural traditions and addressing social and environmental concerns. The and local often remind citizens .