KANGAR: The Health Ministry is refining its standard operating procedures (SOP) concerning the sale and use of dangerous poisons after two children died after consuming snacks laced with rat poison in Kulim last week.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the incident serves as a reminder to the ministry, especially its enforcement officers, and consumers to re-examine the regulations related to handling dangerous poisons.
"This is an issue I need to follow up on because we know that this poison is indeed fatal or dangerous due to its high toxicity levels.
"Furthermore, incidents like this, though occasional, remind us (the ministry) and enforcement officers of the importance of regulations and SOPs related to poison handling.
"When such incidents occur, it is a wake-up call reminding us to review and ensure strict enforcement of SOPs and regulations on the use and sale of dangerous poisons.
"We need to enforce these regulations more effectively, particularly through collaboration with not just the ministry but also other agencies involved in the use of these poisons," he told reporters after the Clean, Smoke-Free Premises (BeBAs) Walkabout Programme at Komalaut Complex 2, Kuala Perlis, here today.
Dr Dzulkefly confirmed that in the case, the ministry had found and retrieved a small packet believed to be rat poison from the house where the two brothers found the snacks laced with rat poison.
"We are assisting in this investigation, samples have been taken, but we have handed the investigation over to the police, and the cause of the poisoning is still under police investigation.
"We cannot provide any updates or information until the police release their latest report," he added.
He also took the opportunity to extend condolences to the family of the two children who died in the incident.
On Monday, it was reported that the brothers, Muhammad Akil Syauqi, 3, and his brother Muhammad Luth Syauqi, 2, were fighting for their lives at the Penang General Hospital.
Kulim district police chief Superintendent Mohd Azizul Mohd Khairi was reported as saying that the boys likely ingested the poisoned snacks hanging on a wire fence intended for wild animals encroaching near their home.
Akil died on Wednesday while Luth died on Friday.
It is understood that the rat poison used by the orchard owner in the incident was bought at a night market for as low as RM3 and was believed to be intended to kill wild monkeys damaging the crops in the orchard.