According to Kosmo, deputy education minister Wong Kah Woh said the directive was issued by education director-general Azam Ahmad as an immediate step to ensure student safety.

He said the suspension would remain in effect pending further ministry announcements.

“This step is taken as an immediate action to ensure that parents of children at IPG feel reassured and receive a swift response from the ministry,” he told reporters after handing over buses to Perak schools at SMK Raja Permaisuri Bainun in Ipoh today.

Wong said the ministry is cooperating fully with the police investigation, while also conducting its own internal probe which began yesterday.

“For the police investigation, we leave it entirely to the authorities, while the internal investigation will examine this case from all angles and issues that arise.

“I personally went to IPG Kangar (Perlis campus) last night to be with the students involved and to listen and obtain explanations from them regarding the incident,” he said.

The victims, identified as Christopher Ling, 21, and Joey Ling, 20, drowned while participating in the activity at about 6pm. About 30 teacher trainees were involved.

The two bodies were recovered at around 7.30pm. They were still wearing their life jackets at the time.