1Malaysia milk scheme: Did Johor Education Dept defy ministry directive?

The Johor State Education Department recently confirmed that a total of 42 primary school students from Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampong Maju Jaya, Kempas here, were rushed to the Sultanah Aminah hospital, Johor Bahru after complaining of stomachache.

Its director, Mohd Nor Ghani, said that all 42 students are from the school’s primary 1, 2, and 3 afternoon session classes.

“The affected students started to complain of stomachache at about 5pm and were rushed to a neighbourhood clinic, but it was closed and they were redirected to the Sultanah Aminah Hospital here,” said Mohd Nor at a press conference here recently.

As at 12pm Friday, the department had not been informed of the cause students’ ailment by the state health department, he added.

He said, “We are unable to ascertain whether the affected students are down with food poisoning or some other illness as we have yet to receive any confirmation from the state health department”.

“The affected students condition is now stable after medical treatment and were allowed to return home yesterday morning”, said Mohd Nor.

He refused to comment on whether the milk consumed by the students had caused their ailment.

Meanwhile, a statement from the Johor State Health department said that of the 42 students who suffered stomachache, 23 received medical treatment at the Sultanah Aminah hospital while another three were treated at a clinic here in Kempas.

In mid April, Deputy Education Minister Dr Puad Zarkashi had announced the suspension of the 1Malaysia milk scheme for poor school children after 29 students of Sekolah Kebangsaan Rahman Putra in Sungai Buloh allegedly fell ill after consuming the milk provided — a mere four days after the free milk programme was rolled out.