SHAH ALAM, Sept 21 — Parents are urging the government to strengthen safety measures at dangerous locations, particularly open and deep drains near residential areas, following the deaths of four boys in Kulim, Kedah.
The four boys, aged between eight and 12, died after allegedly falling into a drain while attempting to retrieve a football at Taman Desa Kayangan, Sungai Karangan, on September 14.
The tragedy has also raised concerns among residents in Hulu Langat, where a similar incident occurred in Taman Prima Saujana in December last year. A 12-year-old boy died after falling into Sungai Kantan while trying to retrieve a ball from a drain, while his 14-year-old brother went missing.
In May this year, another similar tragedy involved nine-year-old Nur Qaseh Deandra Mohd Qayyum, who drowned in Sungai Langat after falling into a drain in Bandar Mahkota Cheras while attempting to retrieve her ball.
Following the tragedies, Kolej Komuniti Hulu Langat deputy director (Academic) Ahmad Zuhaidy Muhammad, 44, said authorities should introduce stronger safety measures, including proper fencing, warning signs and safety procedures around dangerous areas.
“The government should strengthen safety measures at dangerous places. If there are large drains near children’s playgrounds, they should be properly covered and fenced off so children cannot enter when a ball falls into the drain,” he said.
Ahmad said warning signs should also be installed at playgrounds and other locations where children could be exposed to dangerous conditions, particularly during heavy rain.
Ahmad, a father of four, said parents should also closely supervise their children as youngsters could become engrossed in playing and fail to recognise the danger around them.
“As a father, if my children are playing downstairs or at the playground, I will be there with them. Children can get carried away when they are playing and may not realise the danger,” he said.
The Kulim tragedy has also raised concerns among staff at Kolej Komuniti Hulu Langat, as a similar incident occurred nearby in Kajang last year.
Siti Hamidah Hashim, 31, a public relations officer at the college, said the previous incident remained fresh in the minds of staff because it happened nearby.
“It was very close to us because last year, we also had a similar incident where children were playing football during heavy rain.
“The drain was filled with water, and when they tried to retrieve the ball, they drowned,” she told Media Selangor.
She said the repeated incidents were worrying as children may not understand the dangers posed by overflowing drains during heavy rain.
However, Siti said parents and the wider community also had an important role to play in preventing similar tragedies.
She acknowledged that parents may not be able to monitor their children around the clock, but said neighbours and other members of the community could help look out for children when they notice potentially dangerous situations.
“Children are an amanah and a responsibility. Even if parents cannot watch them 24 hours a day, they should know where their children are and, if necessary, ask their spouse or older children to help supervise them.
“It takes a village to raise a child. The community is very important because we need to look after one another, especially when it comes to the safety of children,” she added.
Norfazlina Mohd Yusup, 51, a mother of three, stressed that such incidents should not happen again and urged the authorities to install warning signs and proper fencing around dangerous areas to prevent children from entering.
“If there is no signboard, we should put up a signboard, and if there is no fence, we should put up a fence so children cannot enter dangerous areas,” she said.
