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EDUCATION Minister Fadhlina Sidek paid her final respects late on Monday night to two trainee teachers who drowned in a kayaking tragedy, as their families gathered in mourning at Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah.
Fadhlina arrived at the hospital’s forensic department at 10.40pm, where she spent about 20 minutes meeting the families of the victims and viewing the bodies of Christopher Ling Jia Siang, 21, and Joey Ling Lin Siang, 20. She departed at 11pm.
Also present were Kedah State Education Department director Abdul Rahim Mat, Perlis State Education Department director Rose Aza Che Arifin, representatives from the Institut Pendidikan Guru campus in Perlis, and friends of the deceased.
The two victims were second-year students in the Bachelor of Teaching (Physical Education) programme at the Institut Pendidikan Guru Perlis campus.
Shortly after the minister’s visit, the coffins carrying the bodies were placed in a multi-purpose vehicle and departed the hospital grounds at 11.15pm, bound for Penang International Airport. They are scheduled to be flown to their respective hometowns in Kuching and Sibu, Sarawak.
Earlier, sombre scenes unfolded at the hospital as more than 100 family members, friends, and fellow students gathered at the forensic department. Many were overcome with grief, with audible sobbing and some needing to be comforted as they struggled to come to terms with the loss.
The bodies, which underwent post-mortem examinations earlier in the day, are expected to be returned to Sarawak on Tuesday for final rites.
The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon off Pantai Merdeka, where the victims were kayaking. Their vessel is believed to have capsized after being struck by strong waves and currents.
Both victims were later found entangled in a local fisherman’s net while still wearing life jackets. - April 7, 2026
