Dragon Boat Tragedy - Waiting for inquiry

Six people perished in a dragon boat tragedy on 17 January, 2010. Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said in a press conference that the Penang State Government has requested the Education Ministry under the Federal Government to conduct a public inquiry. He said the Penang State Government is willing to cooperate with the Ministry to find out matters related to the tragedy.

While the Education Department in Penang has blatantly pushed the fault to the school concerned, CM Lim said a proper inquiry must be conducted before anyone is being blamed.

Citizen journalist Chan Lilian asked if the Penang State Government going to accept whatever the outcome of the inquiry, in view of the downright blame by the Ed. Dept. CJ Lilian interviewed the Director of the Education Department on 18 January 2010 and he had said clearly that the rowers, i.e. the five students and their teacher did not wear proper lifejackets. However, it is noted that both teacher Chin Aik Siang and student Jason Chng did wear the lifejacket and still they were drowned. He also said the dragon boat is not an activity endorsed by the Education Department.

CM Lim assured that if an inquiry is carried out, it will be done professionally by experts and they will not take the feedback from one side only. Meanwhile, Malaysiakini's journalist, Low Chia Ming asked if there is a time frame when the inquiry will be carried out. CM Lim said it is up to the Minister of Education and the State wish to take a middle approach and let the Minister of Education decides.

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