By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, April 7: The family of a student from the Teachers Education Institute (IPG) Perlis Campus who tragically drowned during a kayaking activity at Pantai Merdeka last Saturday (April 4) is calling for a comprehensive and transparent investigation.
Kee Ching Ching, 46, the aunt of the late Joey Ling Lin Siang, urged authorities to ensure that the report addresses all aspects, particularly the standard operating procedures (SOP) followed during the kayaking activity.
“We also want clarity on whether the site was suitable for kayaking and hope that the Ministry of Education (MOE) will review the curriculum involving outdoor activities,” Kee said when speaking to reporters at the Forensic Department of Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah (HSB) in Alor Setar late last night (April 6) as reported by Bernama.
She added that the family hopes such a tragedy will never happen again.
In the incident, 21-year-old Christopher Ling Jia Siang and 20-year-old Joey Ling Lin Siang, both students enrolled in the Physical Education Bachelor’s Programme (PISMP), were found drowned around 7.30 pm while kayaking at Pantai Merdeka near Sungai Petani.
The male victim hailed from Kuching, while the female victim was from Sibu. Both were flown back to Sarawak this morning via Penang International Airport.
Prior to their departure from HSB at 11.15pm on Monday, Minister of Education Fadhlina Sidek visited the victims’ family to offer condolences and pay her final respects.
Over 100 fellow students from IPG Perlis Campus also gathered at the Forensic Department, mourning the loss of their classmates in a solemn and emotional atmosphere. — DayakDaily
