Maran: A participant in the Komander Kesatria Endurance Challenge (KKEC) died after suffering breathing difficulties while taking part in the Mara Lasak event on Friday.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Maran Police chief Supt Wong Kim Wai stated that the 21-year-old Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) student was initially taken to Jengka Hospital in Maran. However, due to a drop in oxygen levels, the student was later transferred to Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Hospital (HoSHAS) in Temerloh, where he died at 2.08 pm while receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Post-mortem findings are pending laboratory investigations.

Supt Wong reported that eight other students, comprising four male and four female students, also suffered breathing difficulties during the incident at 9.57 pm. They were taken to Jengka Hospital for treatment. Two of these students, who were referred to HoSHAS, were admitted to the ICU due to a drop in oxygen levels but remain in stable condition. The six students treated at Jengka Hospital are also in stable condition and under observation.

UiTM Jengka hosted the KKEC Duathlon, which involved 521 participants from various UiTM campuses across the nation, excluding Sarawak. The event commenced on September 2 and is scheduled to conclude on September 8. The challenge included an eight-kilometre run, a 20-kilometre cycling segment, and a 10-kilometre Mara Lasak event.

Wong emphasized that police are continuing their investigations into the incident and cautioned the public against speculation or sharing unverified information, especially on social media, as it could impede investigations and lead to confusion among the family and community. He also advised the public to avoid strenuous outdoor activities amid the ongoing hot and hazy conditions.