SHAH ALAM - The Education Ministry will defend itself against a suit filed by the fathers of the three pupils who drowned in the suspension bridge collapse tragedy in Kuala Dipang on Oct 26.

Deputy Education Minister Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi said during the camping programme regulations and safety steps determined by the ministry were followed.

"Just that on the bridge collapse, we leave it to the Public Works Department to investigate and take action as the bridge was not built by the state education department," he told Bernama after opening the 55th Annual General Meeting of the Federation of Peninsular Malaysia Malay Students here today.

10 parties sued in RM105m suit

Yesterday, the fathers of the three pupils filed a RM105mil suit alleging negligence on the part of 10 parties.

Among defendants named are the the Government of Malaysia, the Education Minister, the Perak State Education Department director, the head of the Kinta Selatan district education office, headmasters of Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil (SJKT) Mambang Diawan and SJKT Gopeng.

The suit was filed through the law firm of Messrs A Sivanesan & Co at the High Court registrar's office here. Sivanesan is the state assemblyman for Sungkai from the DAP.

In the incident, the three pupils were part of a group of 298 Year Four, Five and Six from the Kinta Selatan district for a 1Malaysia Camp for four days at the Kinta Selatan District Education Office's Co-Curriculum Centre.

Dr Mohd Puad said the ministry will ensure from time to time that camping safety are followed in events organised by the private sector.