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 (PWD) to investigate and take action as the bridge was not built by the state Education Department," he told reporters after officiating the 55th Annual General Meeting of the Federation of Peninsular Malaysia Malay Students (GPMS) in Shah Alam today.

Yesterday, the fathers of the three pupils filed a RM105 million suit alleging negligence on the part of 10 parties.

Among defendants named are the Malaysian government, 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.

Suit filed in High Court today

The suit was filed through the law firm of Messrs A Sivanesan & Co. at 10.22am today 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.

Mohd Puad said the ministry will ensure from time to time that safety characteristics for the camping programmes organised by the private sector were adhered to.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the government was leaving it to the attorney-general as to the course of action to be taken over the multi-million law suit

Muhyiddin, who is also education minister, said he had yet to be fully briefed on the suit.

NONE "It is unfortunate this has happened. I do not want to comment much as what I say might be misinterpreted," he told a press conference after holding a meeting with leaders of Umno clubs in Indonesia, here today.

In the suit, K Mageswaran, K Vasudevan and T Nathan had alleged negligence on the part of the defendants caused the deaths of their children, M Devatharshini, 11, V Divyashree, 12, and N Dinadevi, 11 ( above ).

- Bernama