KULIM, Sept 19 2026 — Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has called for an immediate upgrade of safety measures along the open drains at Taman Desa Kayangan, Sungai Karangan, following the death of four children in a drowning tragedy on Monday.
He said the housing estate uses an open drain system and that the channels should be fenced or covered with iron grilles.
“I ask them (the residents’ association) to submit an application quickly so that I can help immediately,” he told reporters after visiting the victims’ families here today.
“Perhaps the work can be entrusted to the family of another victim in Kampung Baru Gajah Merangkak, who happens to be a blacksmith, to carry out the installation.”
Saifuddin said he believed the residents’ association was already prepared to raise safety standards around the neighbourhood.
“On this safety aspect, if the association needs support or cooperation, they can inform us so that we can help improve safety in the residents’ surroundings,” he said.
During the visit, the minister also handed over welfare aid to the families and urged them to remain patient.
“Today, we delivered a small welfare contribution to the families while offering a message of patience over the trial of losing loved ones.
“This modest financial assistance certainly cannot replace the lives of the children they loved, but at least they will know that there are still parties who sympathise with what has happened,” he said.
Saifuddin earlier inspected the scene of the accident that claimed the four children’s lives.
Taman Desa Kayangan Residents’ Committee chairman Mohd Hafiz Jaafar said the association would submit an application promptly, in line with the minister’s advice.
“There are two things that I see must be done quickly: building a fence around the playground and installing drain covers or iron grilles.
“The area around the playground is large and its boundary is too close to the drain. It is indeed quite dangerous for children,” he said.
The proposal was supported by Mohd Ashrofudin Ramdzon, 41, father of two of the boys who died. He said immediate action was needed to prevent a similar tragedy.
“My house area is often a gathering place for children in this housing estate because it is close to the playground. If the safety level is improved, at least we can prevent the same incident from happening again,” he said.
The victims — Muhamad Aeril Aziz Muhamad Zafis, 12; Muhammad Zafril Arsyad Muhamad Azrin, 12; Muhammad Iman Nuruddin Khairol Anuar, 10; and Muhammad Arif Naufan Abdullah, 8 — died on Monday after they were believed to have fallen into the drain while trying to retrieve a football.
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