PENANG: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday went to the site of the dragon boat tragedy that claimed the lives of five students and a teacher of Chung Ling High School on Sunday.The waters off Lebuh Macallum, where ships offloaded cargo and was a base for lighters, was made a training area for the school’s rowing team.
Muhyiddin, who is also the Education Minister, spent about 15 minutes at the scene before going to the Batu Gantung Chinese cemetery to pay last respects to victim Goh Yi Xiang, 15. Also with him were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon; Penang Chief Minister, Lim Guan Eng; Deputy Education Minister, Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong; state police chief, Datuk Ayub Yaakob; and state Umno leaders.
In the Sunday tragedy, six people, including a teacher, of Chung Ling High School, drowned after their dragon boat capsized after being hit by waves and hitting a ‘tongkang’ about 100m from shore. The victims were the teacher, who was also the team advisor, Chin Ai Fang, 28; and five students, Jason Ch’ng, 17; Goh Yi Xiang, 15; Bradon Yeoh,17; Cheah Zi Yun, 17; and Yong Xiang, 16.
Twelve other students survived. — Bernama