Report on the Kuala Dipang bridge collapse

28.10.2009

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw calls the Central Government to announce the report on the inquiry into the tragedy of the Kuala Dipang bridge.

We express sympathy to the families of the three pupils drowned in the incident. We hope that the rescue team of 222 personnel would recover all the bodies. Hitherto, one body has been found.

At 10.30 pm on 26.10.2009, 22 pupils from Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Tamil Gopeng crosses the newly-built suspension bridge which collapsed over the Kampar River.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has announced the formation of Committee of Inquiry into the tragedy.

According to media report, the pupils were among 298 from 60 primary schools in Kampar, Tronoh and Batu Gajah taking part in a 1Malaysia camp organised by the Kinta Selatan District Education Department.

On 25.10,2009, they registered for the camp. The following day, as they were walking across the bridge from the campsite to the school to have their dinner, the accident occurred.

There are many questions about the safety of the suspension bridge. Once the inquiry is completed, the Education Minister would be able to make it public.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw