Ministry bans ’ pass-out game’
> Mahdzir warns of action against students involved in stunt
KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry has banned the “pass-out game” that is gaining traction in schools with immediate effect, warning that students face action if they are involved.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid, said the ministry will not hesitate to act against these students after videos emerged online showing several students playing the game.
The game, also known as the “skip challenge”, requires enormous amount of pressure to be applied to a person’s chest for several seconds before he temporarily loses consciousness, having had oxygen cut off from his brain.
Unimpressed with the stunt, Mahdzir said a directive will be issued to all schools nationwide that the game will not become a norm at their premises.
“This game is not only dangerous, but can also be fatal,” he told a press conference after officiating at the Malindo 5 International Seminar yesterday.
A 25-second video recently went viral, showing two teenagers performing the act on another teen who fainted for several seconds before regaining consciousness, while they – and the person behind the camera – laughed.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya had, on Oct 14, warned that the game was extremely dangerous and could lead to brain damage or death. He advised students not to take the challenge from their friends as it could lead to death in less than five minutes.
“When you apply pressure on the chest, the person can’t breath, cutting off oxygen. All it takes is five minutes without oxygen and your brain will be dead,” he had said.