ALOR STAR: Parents and schools have been urged to monitor the "lato-lato" toy that is currently popular with schoolchildren as it could cause serious injuries.
Kedah Parents, Community and Private Sector Schools Engagement chairman Zainol Abidin Mohamad urged the Education Ministry to ban the toy from schools.
"The lato-lato toy is getting popular and we believe it has spread to all schools.
"The toy can cause serious harm to children or whoever plays with it if it hits the person's face.
"We are urging parents and schools to monitor this development. The Education Ministry should consider banning the toy in schools," he said at the Kedah Book Bazaar here.
"Lato-lato", also known as "clackers" in the United States, was a popular toy in the 1960s and 1970s. It has been banned by the US Food and Drug Administration due to the risk of injury to children.
The toy became a hit in Indonesia late last year, especially among schoolchildren. There were reports of children in Indonesia suffering face and forehead injuries from playing with the toy.
Recently, a doctor in Malaysia made a post on social media about a boy who needed treatment for a nose injury after he was hit by the toy.
In the post, Dr Kamarul Ariffin Nor Sadan urged parents to monitor their children and educate them about safety when playing with the toy.
Checks on e-commerce platforms showed that they toy is sold for RM4.90 to RM10 per unit.
State Religious, Education and Human Resources Committee chairman Datuk Najmi Ahmad said he would discuss with the State Education Department to identify the best approach to handle the matter.
"The toy has not been banned at schools, but I will consult the Education Department.
"We advise parents to monitor their children when they play with the toy."