KUANTAN: Parents must take responsibility for closely monitoring their children to prevent them from playing in floodwaters or makeshift “water playgrounds” created by the Northeast Monsoon, which could lead to dangerous incidents.
The Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, said children must avoid playing near monsoon drains, rivers or floodwater-covered playgrounds.
“Children must stay away from monsoon drains, rivers and waterlogged playgrounds, as these areas can be dangerous.
“This requires joint efforts from parents and family members to ensure that children under their care do not go near these places.
“Parents should keep a close watch on their children, including when they are staying at temporary relief centres,” he told reporters after visiting the SK Bunut Rendang temporary relief centre here today.
Al-Sultan Abdullah was responding to a viral video circulating on social media showing a group of children enjoying a “mini water park” after a playground at Perumahan Makmur Inderapura Jaya here was submerged and turned into a pond.
The Northeast Monsoon, which typically occurs from November to March, brings heavy rainfall to east coast states such as Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan, as well as parts of Sabah and Sarawak, often triggering floods.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
