SHAH ALAM, Nov 21 (Bernama) -- 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) here 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 the Government of Malaysia, 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.

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.

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