Sungai petani: The Education Ministry (MOE) will manage everything necessary to bring back the bodies of two students from its Teacher Training Institute Perlis Campus to Sarawak.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh stated that the MOE would assist the families of both second-year students who tragically drowned during a kayaking incident at Pantai Merdeka near Sungai Petani. The deputy minister expressed the ministry's sadness and extended condolences to the families, acknowledging the loss of two promising future educators.

The tragic incident involved Christopher Ling Jia Siang, 21, from Kuching, and Joey Ling Lin Siang, 20, from Sibu, who were found drowned at approximately 7:30 pm. Deputy Minister Wong mentioned that the MOE would offer counselling sessions to students involved and others affected by the incident. Moreover, he assured that investigations would proceed in two ways: the police investigation, with which the MOE will fully cooperate, and an immediate internal investigation to determine the cause of the tragedy.

Family members of both victims have reportedly arrived at Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital to identify the bodies.