Public advised to stop blaming parents over cycling tragedy

A Johor state executive councillor today advised the people, particularly netizens, to cease blaming the parents of the teenage boys killed or injured in the tragic cycling accident here two days ago.

Asiah Md Ariff, chairman of the Johor Women and Family Affairs Committee, said the people should instead give advice to the parents and not add to their stress by making improper comments on social media.

"I see many comments on Facebook which put the blame on the parents. People out there should instead give good advice, not use words that we ourselves do not want to hear," she said.

Asiah spoke to reporters after handing over contributions to the families of the boys who died in the accident and visiting the injured teenagers at the Sultanah Aminah Hospital here.

Eight boys were killed and eight more injured when a car hit them while they were cycling on Jalan Lingkaran Dalam here on Saturday.

READ: Eight teenagers on bicycles killed, mowed down by car

She said the parents of the injured boys whom she met at the hospital had lamented over the unkind words on social media.

Asiah also advised all parents to always monitor the movements of their children so as to avoid a similar incident.

"Some of the parents of the children involved in the incident were strict with their children. It is not that they were not concerned.

"The majority of the victims were good students who were active in their school's co-curricular activities. So, give the parents a chance and leave the questioning about the accident to the police," she said.

Commenting on the Home Ministry's proposal that the state government prohibit underage youths from city areas, major roads and certain locations late at night, Asiah said this would be discussed by the state executive council.

-- BERNAMA