KANGAR: Authorities are probing the fatal kayaking incident of two students of a teacher's college at Pantai Merdeka, Sungai Petani, Kedah, the Education Ministry says.
The ministry has also launched an internal investigation to examine compliance with the relevant standard operating procedures (SOPs) involving the students of the Perlis campus of the Institute of Teacher Education (IPG) who reportedly drowned in the incident.
In a statement posted on its official Facebook page Sunday (April 5), the ministry stressed that it is conducting a comprehensive review to ensure compliance with every safety guideline in organising the Off-Campus Outdoor Education Programme.
According to the ministry, it reminded all educational institutions under its purview to ensure that all outdoor activities comply with current SOPs, prioritising participant safety.
At the same time, the ministry has arranged immediate assistance for the victims’ families and is providing psychosocial support, while focusing on the welfare and well-being of those affected.
“The ministry expresses its sorrow and extends its condolences to the families of the two IPG Perlis Campus students who were involved in an accident while participating in the Off-Campus Outdoor Education Programme on Saturday (April 4). May the entire family be granted strength and fortitude in facing this trial,” the statement said.
Based on IPG Perlis Campus’ official Facebook page, the two students were Christopher Ling Jia Siang, 21, and Joey Ling Lin Siang, 20.
Earlier, Bernama reported that two individuals — a man and a woman, both in their 20s — were found drowned while kayaking at Pantai Merdeka.
Kuala Muda OCPD Asst Comm Hanyan Ramlan was reported as saying that the bodies of both victims were found at about 7.30pm. — Bernama
