KUALA LUMPUR: Village leaders must play a role in ensuring the safety and security of folks, says Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
This is in light of the case where two children ate crackers suspected to contain rat poison.
“From the videos that I have seen, the poisoned crackers were placed in a garden area to kill monkeys. We may think nothing of it, but for children, the packaging piqued their curiosity,” she told the press on Thursday (July 11).
Earlier, Nancy launched The 6th Population and Family Survey at the Asian International Arbitration Centre.
Nancy was responding to questions from reporters after a man was remanded for six days in relation to the case.
On Thursday Sessions Court Judge Mirza Mohamad granted the remand application of a 33-year-old man, from 11 to 17 July. He is believed to be the owner of the garden where the poisoned crackers were found.
The case is being investigated under Section 31(1)(a) of Act 611 for neglecting children, and Section 284 of the Penal Code and negligent behaviour regarding poisonous substances.
“The case is still under investigation. It is not up to us to call it negligence.
“The Welfare Department has met with the affected family. We provide counselling and help them deal with their feelings and situation. We leave the rest to the authorities.
“I empathise with what has happened to the children, especially with the death of three-year-old Muhammad Akil Syauqi Nur Sufian, but we are hoping that two-year-old Muhammad Akil and Muhammad Luth Syauqi, who is still in hospital, will recover,” she said.
Muhammad Akil Syauqi passed away at 8.40am on Wednesday (July 10).
The two brothers were being treated at the Penang Hospital's Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) after eating what are believed to be poison-laced crackers in Kampung Padang Ubi, Labu Besar, Kulim in Kedah on Sunday (July 7).
On Monday (July 8), Kulim district police chief Supt Mohd Azizul Mohd Khairi said the mother of the two brothers became aware of the incident at 11am after her children vomited and were foaming at the mouth.
