ALOR SETAR — In a tragic incident that has shaken the local community, a four‑year‑old boy was found unconscious in a fish pond and later died from drowning after being reported missing while playing near the water in Kampung Perik, near Kuala Nerang in the Padang Terap district of Kedah, on Saturday evening.
According to Deputy Superintendent Affzanisham Mohammad Sham, the incident occurred at approximately 6:15 pm, when parents of the young victim, identified as Ayyash Ahmad Sajid Ahmed, noticed that their son had disappeared while playing close to their home. The family immediately alerted neighbours and local authorities, prompting an urgent search operation.
Community members and emergency responders combed the area for several tense minutes. The breakthrough came when villagers spotted Ayyash’s shoes floating in the nearby fish pond, raising alarm and leading rescue teams to focus their search on the body of water.
Rescuers soon located the young boy submerged in the pond. He was pulled from the water and rushed to Jitra Hospital in critical condition. Medical staff worked to stabilise him, but despite their efforts, Ayyash was pronounced dead at around 11 pm that night.
In response to the incident, Ayyash’s body was transported to the Forensic Department of Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Setar, where a post‑mortem examination was conducted. The official findings confirmed that the cause of death was drowning, marking the tragic end to the frantic search.
The heartbreaking loss has deeply affected the rural community of Kampung Perik, where neighbours gathered to offer support to the grieving family. Local police, represented by DSP Affzanisham, emphasised that incidents involving young children and open water sources such as ponds or drains can be especially dangerous if left unsupervised. Authorities reiterated calls for parents and guardians to maintain vigilant oversight of children in areas with potential water hazards.
This devastating incident highlights the vulnerability of small children around water bodies and has sparked renewed discussions about public safety and preventive measures in residential areas where ponds and unprotected waterways are common.
