Miri police chief cautions kite-flying enthusiasts to stop using glass powder-coated strings

The man in Tudan also suffered injuries to his hands from his run-in with glass powder-coated kite string.

Oleh Brad Rantayy

MIRI, July 19: Miri police chief ACP Hakemal Hawari has advised kite-flying enthusiasts here to follow safe practices while flying kites, including not coating kite strings with sharp glass powder.

“We are urging those flying kites to avoid using strings coated with sharp glass powder as it can cause injuries to others,” he said, adding that the cops have assigned surveillance teams at several areas in Tudan and Permyjaya after two men were reported injured by kite string coated with sharp glass powder over the weekend.

On Saturday (July 17), the victims were injured in two separate incidents in Tudan and Permyjaya respectively, when kite strings coated with sharp powdered glass sliced their hands and necks.

A kite string coated with sharp glass powder injured a man’s neck in Tudan over the weekend.

Photos of the injuries were uploaded on social media, subsequently sparking an uproar among netizens who demanded that stern action be taken against those using kite strings coated with sharp glass powder.

Many netizens wanted the authorities to carry out routine patrols and apprehend those flying kites using these strings, noting that the coated string poses a threat not only to humans but also animals.

They wanted those responsible for these incidents to be arrested and the use of kite strings coated with sharp glass powder banned. — DayakDaily