KUANTAN, March 28 — Tengku Puan Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah has called on parents to equip their children with the basic skills of swimming since early childhood for their personal safety.
Tunku Azizah said it was not a guarantee the children would not drown but at least they would have basic knowledge that could help save themselves if they fell into areas such as rivers or ponds.
“Swimming skills are very important, I think it’s time our children are equipped with them, adding to the fact that lately, I have seen so many drowning cases involving children,” she said.
She was speaking to Bernama when visiting the family members of drowning victim Zulkairie Wan Abdullah, 14, at the Forensics Unit of Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan here last night.
She also presented a donation to Zulkairie’s mother, Norfadhilah Abu Bakar, 35.
The Form Two student of SM Beserah was reported to have gone to Pantai Sungai Karang with 16 other friends, after finishing school activities at 5.45pm.
Four of them including Zulkairie went swimming before being swept away by strong currents, however, two of them managed to be rescued, while another, Harmizan Mutalib, 16, is still missing. — Bernama
