Lake to be fenced up after tragedy

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KOTA KINABALU: Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid says that she will use her allocation to provide fencing around the perimeter of the lake near the Industrial Training Institute (ILP) in Sepanggar to prevent any untoward incidents from recurring in the future.

Speaking to reporters after launching the collaboration programme between parents and teachers for SK Likas held at the Sabah Trade Centre near here yesterday, Jainab expressed her condolence to the family of the late Mohd Alnold Amir who drowned at the lake, and said that as such tragedies were becoming common, action must be taken to avert similar tragedies from recurring.

“I will use my allocation to put up a signboard to warn people against carrying out any activities there,” she said.

She added that drowning incidents were also becoming a common occurrence along the Likas Bay.

Earlier, Jainab advised students from SK Likas to avoid going swimming at lakes and the sea because of the dangers involved. She urged them to constantly update their parents on their whereabouts.

On the part of parents, she reminded them to constantly keep tabs of their children’s whereabouts and make their children aware of the dangers that are present everywhere.

“Dissuade them from going out on their own, and avoid taking the elevators when they are alone in order not to expose themselves to unnecessary dangers,” she advised.

“They need to teach their children how to look after themselves and the things and places that they need to avoid,” she said.

She also urged members of the public to be mindful of the feelings of others when posting pictures of victims of tragedies in social network websites. She further warned that those found posting such gruesome photographs/images may be slapped with actions by the Malaysia Communication and Multimedia Commission.

Meanwhile, the remains of the 17-year-old drowning victim was found about 9am yesterday, said Jainab.

“I would be meeting with his family after this,” she told.

According to news report, the Form Five student went for a swim at the lake with his friends around 4pm on Sunday and a distress call was received by the Kota Kinabalu Fire and Rescue Services Department at 4.10pm.

Meanwhile, Jainab confirmed yesterday that her ministry had not received any complaints against school canteens in Sabah for jacking up the prices of food and drinks sold in the canteen.

“There have been no reports (of school canteen operators increasing their prices) in Sabah. In Peninsular Malaysia, complaints have been received though,” she said.

Nevertheless, she urged the Parents-Teachers Associations (PTAs) and parents to constantly monitor the prices of goods sold at school canteens to ensure the prices have not been raised.

“The canteen operators have secured the tender to run the canteen by offering the lowest price. They cannot simply increase the prices of food (and drinks) sold,” she stressed.