Kulim police chief Azizul Khairi said the mother of the two children became aware of the incident at 11am when her children started vomiting and foaming at the mouth.

“The two boys are believed to have taken a packet of crackers containing rat poison that the neighbour had hung on the fencing to trap monkeys.

“The victims’ mother took them to the Malau health clinic before going to Kulim Hospital.

“Medical officers at Kulim Hospital found both victims were in a critical condition. At 7.30pm, both victims were taken to the Penang Hospital for further treatment,” he said in a statement here today.

He said that the suspect in the case is believed to be the victims’ neighbour who works as a gardener.

“The case is being investigated under Section 31(1) (a) of the Children’s Act 2001 (Act 611) and Section 284 of the Penal Code,” he said.