MoE halts high-risk IPG water activities after tragedy involving Sarawakians in Kedah

KUCHING (April 6): The Ministry of Education (MoE) has issued a directive restricting all teachers’ training institutes (IPG) from organising high-risk water-based activities with immediate effect, following last Saturday’s tragedy in Kedah.

Two Sarawakians — Christopher Ling, 21, former SMK Sungai Tapang student, and Joey Ling, 20, a former SMK Tung Hua, Sibu student — who were studying at Perlis IPG, are believed to have fallen into the sea while kayaking in an off-campus activity at Pantai Merdeka near Sungai Petani last Saturday.

Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said the directive was aimed at ensuring the safety of students and alleviating parents’ concerns.

“This decision takes effect immediately until further notice from the MoE. It is a swift action we have taken to ensure that parents of IPG students can have peace of mind,” he said, according to an Oriental Daily report. He said this after attending a function in Ipoh on Monday.

Wong said the ministry will fully cooperate with the police in their investigation into the tragic incident.

He added that the MoE has also launched an internal review of all relevant aspects, including whether standard operating procedures for conducting activities meet safety standards.

“We leave it to the police as far as law enforcement goes. I have personally made an effort to meet the affected students, listen to their concerns and obtain firsthand information related to the case,” he added.

Last Saturday, Kuala Muda police chief ACP Hanyan Ramlan said preliminary investigations indicated strong waves and swift currents had caused several kayaks to capsize.

He added that the victims’ kayak was believed to have become entangled in a fishing net, making it difficult for them to escape.

The bodies of the two victims were found at around 7.30pm on Saturday, both still wearing life jackets.