Accra:Kelantan Muhammad Syakir Zailani, a 17-year-old from Kelantan, is preparing to represent Malaysia at the Global IT Challenge in Vietnam from October 26 to 30. Despite his physical limitations, he is set to compete in the E-Content category.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, this marks Muhammad Syakir's fourth participation in the international competition. In his previous appearances, he has secured three gold medals. In 2024, he won two gold medals in Manila, the Philippines, in the 'e-tool spreadsheet' and 'e-life map' categories. Additionally, he won a gold medal in the 'e-tool spreadsheet' category in Dubai in 2023.

Muhammad Syakir expressed his confidence and readiness to compete on the international stage once again after being chosen to represent Kelantan. He highlighted that despite being a person with disabilities, he has never let his limitations hinder his international achievements and aims to become an information technology expert in the future.

In a related development, Kelantan Education Department director Siti Norina Muhamad stated that a committee has been established to monitor air quality in the state due to haze affecting several regions. The committee uses Air Pollutant Index readings from monitoring stations in Kota Bharu and Tanah Merah to continuously assess the situation. Educators and students, particularly those at higher risk, are advised to maintain their health and use face masks to reduce exposure to air pollution.