Crime & Courts

Police await Defence Ministry findings on UPNM cadet bullying case

KUALA LUMPUR: Police are waiting for the findings from the Defence Ministry's investigation board, which is probing the latest alleged bullying case involving a Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) cadet.

City police chief Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa said any findings made by the board would be notified to the Attorney-Generals Chambers for further action.

"For now we are still waiting for further instruction from the A-GC after the investigation paper was referred to on Tuesday," he told reporters today.

He explained that the investigation paper was currently being reviewed by the A-GC, and this may end up with a charge in court.

"The results of the internal investigation may result in expulsion from the programme or expulsion from the dormitory.

"There are two situations; sometimes the results from the internal investigation can be considered in the police investigation results. Sometimes it could also lead to separate action."

Rusdi said if they were informed on the findings of the ministry's probe, they will hand that over to the A-GC as well.

"However if a press conference or media release was made on the matter, I am confident that the A-GC will take note. With that said, we will also notify them," he said.

It was reported that the armed forces investigation board on the case would conclude its findings on Friday.

The committee, which comprises high-ranking officers from the armed forces, would provide recommendations on the outcome of the probe.

Action and recommendations taken by the board would be based on guidelines pertaining to disciplinary matters.

Last Wednesday, the armed forces confirmed it had launched its own investigation into the incident.

The cadet was reportedly abused by a senior officer with a heated iron, leaving burn marks on his chest.

This incident marks the second case of similar abuse at UPNM in seven years.

In 2017, the university was rocked by the death of cadet officer Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain, who died after being tortured and burned with a heated iron.

Six former UPNM students were sentenced to death by hanging for his murder.

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