This follows the case of Fahmi Hafiz Fakhruddin, a Year Four pupil, who was reported to be in critical condition in Penang Hospital’s paediatric intensive care unit after choking on a gummy candy he bought outside his school.

Education director-general Azman Adnan said the ministry, through the Penang education department, is closely monitoring the situation and prioritising the well-being of the student and his family.

He said the 2021 guidelines on the sale of food and beverage outside school premises must be strictly observed.

“Although the ministry does not have direct jurisdiction over vendors operating outside school premises, incidents like these and their impact on student safety must be taken seriously,” he told Bernama today.

Azman said state education departments and schools must report any food sales occurring within a 40m radius of school gates to local authorities.

The 10-year-old student from SK Sungai Dua, Butterworth, allegedly bought two pieces of the candy before attending religious class at 2.30pm on Tuesday.

According to his aunt, Siti Farhani Fikri, 33, the boy began choking and struggled to breathe but managed to approach his teacher before collapsing.