KEDAH RAJA MUDA EXPRESSES SYMPATHY OVER FIRECRACKER INCIDENT INVOLVING TWO SIBLINGS

YAN, March 20 (Bernama) -- The Raja Muda of Kedah, Tengku Sarafudin Badlishah Sultan Sallehuddin, today expressed his sympathy to two siblings, aged four and seven, who sustained injuries while playing with firecrackers in Kampung Baru near Kuala Nerang on Tuesday.

Tengku Sarafudin hoped that such incidents would not happen again and advised parents to always keep an eye on their children when playing with firecrackers to prevent any untoward incidents ahead of Syawal.

“I came across this news on social media last night, and I was shocked to see it...how could two young children suffer such serious injuries? I hope parents will keep a close watch on their children, especially those still in school.

“I urge the relevant authorities to monitor and ensure that these dangerous firecrackers are not sold. Homemade firecrackers are also highly dangerous.

“I hope this incident does not recur in Kedah or any other state in Malaysia. We all want to celebrate Raya joyfully, not in sadness,” he said when met by reporters at the Hari Raya Aidilfitri Donation Presentation Ceremony at Dewan Lestari Guar Chempedak here today.

A total of 170 underprivileged and eligible individuals received cash assistance and Raya cookies, involving a total allocation of RM71,400 from the Kedah Islamic Religious Council.

In the incident at about 8.15 pm, two siblings, aged seven and four, sustained burns on several parts of their bodies after allegedly playing with firecrackers near their home in Kampung Baru.

Both children were rushed to the Red Zone of Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital (HSB) in Alor Setar, with one of them, who was seriously injured, later admitted to the hospital’s Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).

-- BERNAMA