Fifty-five students of the Balik Pulau Polytechnic had to be rushed to the hospital for suspected food poisoning after consuming outside food at a voters’ briefing programme this evening.

Penang exco Dr Afif Bahardin said that as of 10pm, 55 students had been treated at the Balik Pulau Hospital after suffering from abdominal pains.

“All the 55 polytechnic students were given outpatient treatment and were allowed to return home but are being monitored,” he said when contacted by Bernama last night.

Afif said parents need not worry too much about their condition because they were under the supervision of the hospital and polytechnic management.

He added that he has ordered an investigation into the cause of the food poisoning, and that subsequent action will be taken against the responsible party.

It was learned that all the students attended a voters’ briefing programme organised by the Election Commission at the polytechnic, which started at 9am and ended at noon.

A total of 207 students attended the programme and were served rice, chicken, eggs and cabbage at 11am for lunch. By 4pm, dozens of students started complaining of stomach aches and were rushed to the hospital.

- Bernama