Sibu: Deputy Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat and Lanang MP Alice Lau Kiong Yieng has called on the Ministry of Education (MOE) to extend assistance to the families of those affected by the recent kayaking tragedy at Pantai Merdeka.
She said that while investigations into the incident are ongoing, the ministry should also focus on providing timely and practical support to the affected families during this period.
Lau said she had conveyed the matter to Deputy Minister of Education Wong Kah Woh, encouraging the ministry to take a more active role in post-incident arrangements.
“This includes ensuring proper coordination and extending the necessary assistance to help ease the burden faced by the victims’ families,” she said in response to the recent kayaking tragedy at Pantai Merdeka in Sungai Petani, Kedah, which claimed the lives of two students from Sarawak who were studying at the Perlis Institute of Teacher Education (IPG Perlis).
In the meantime, she also extended her deepest condolences and sympathies to the families of the victims.
Describing the incident as deeply saddening, Lau emphasised that the incident has drawn significant public attention to the safety management of outdoor activities in higher education institutions.
Lau pointed out that she had immediately sought clarification yesterday from Deputy Minister of Education Wong Kah Woh regarding the matter and has called on the relevant authorities to conduct a comprehensive and thorough investigation to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
“I have urged the Ministry of Education to make the investigation findings public, ensuring that the process is independent and transparent so that the truth can be known, and justice can be served to the victims’ families,” she said.
She emphasised that beyond investigating the incident itself, it is even more crucial to conduct a comprehensive review of existing standard operating procedures (SOPs) and safety mechanisms for various activities, including risk assessments, team leadership arrangements, and emergency response measures, to prevent similar tragedies from recurring.
“Educational institutions must uphold the highest standards when organising any activities involving student safety, ensuring that every aspect complies with established safety protocols,” she said.
She also called on the MOE to further review the appropriateness of outdoor training activities conducted by higher education institutions and to conduct systematic evaluations and implement necessary reforms for high-risk activities, as student safety must always be the top priority.
“Safeguarding students’ lives is the most fundamental prerequisite, and all activities must be carried out based on robust and stringent safety measures.
“We hope that through this investigation and review, not only can accountability be established, but improvements can also be made at the institutional level to enhance the overall safety standards of campus activities,” she said.
She urged all relevant parties to take this matter seriously and to proceed with professionalism and accountability, ensuring that the victims’ families receive proper closure and that public confidence in the system can be restored.
