KUALA LUMPUR: A senior at Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) claimed trial to a charge of voluntarily causing hurt with dangerous weapon on a second-year cadet officer last month.
Amirul Iskandar Norhanizan, 22, is accused of causing hurt by pressing a heated steam iron on the chest of the 20-year-old cadet officer, Muhammad Salman Mohd Saiful Surash.
He committed the offence at 11.45pm at Pertahanan Nasidasturi at Akademi Latihan Ketenteraan, UPNM in Sungai Besi on Oct 22.
He entered his non-guilty plea before Sessions Court judge Egusra Ali.
"I plead not guilty," he told the court.
He faces a maximum 10 year jail term, or a fine, whipping or both under Section 324 of the Penal Code.
Amirul Iskandar, who was unrepresented, made his own mitigation.
Clad in white shirt and grey pants in the dock, he asked the judge to allow him bail at a minimum sum.
Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Sabri Othman offered bail at RM30,000 with one surety due to the nature of the offence and its severity.
"The steam hot iron was pressed on the victim and he suffered a second degree burn on the right side of his chest.
"The testimonies that will prove the offence will include prosecution witnesses from his hostel mates, officers and coaches of UPNM.
"I seek for an order for the accused not to go near witnesses or contact them to discuss about this case," he said.
Sabri added that this was a public interest case which will serve as a guidance to the society, especially students, when committing the offence of bullying their peers.
"They must know that there are harsh penalties and high bail sum which ensures that the accused and bailor will not take light of law provisions as this is a non-bailable offence."
After hearing Sabri's submission, Amirul Iskandar had again pleaded for minimal bail sum.
"My parents are government pensioners and I am still studying. I promise to attend each court proceedings," he said.
The court allowed bail at RM20,000 with two sureties and barred him from harassing and contacting prosecution witnesses.
The court set Dec 27 for mention.
It is understood that Amirul Iskandar's family will bail him out.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain had said an investigation paper was opened after the victim lodged a report lodged by the victim at 8.23pm on Nov 1.
The report had said that the incident allegedly happened around 11.45pm on Oct 22 at the UPNM dormitory.
Razarudin had said the fourth-year senior had grabbed the iron and pressed it on the right side of the victim's chest after asking him to iron his clothes.
He said the incident, witnessed by several other seniors in the room, shocked the victim and he screamed in pain and it left burn marks on his chest.
On Oct 31, the armed forces confirmed it kickstarted a probe into the case.
Police had seized the iron as part of the case's exhibit and had so far recorded the statement of 16 persons, which includes medical officers, university staff, cadet officers and coaches.
The armed forces investigation board probing the alleged bullying and abuse case will conclude its findings today.
This incident marks the second case of similar abuse at UPNM in seven years.
In 2017, the university was shaken by the death of cadet officer Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain, who was tortured and burned with a heated iron.
Six former UPNM students were subsequently sentenced to death by hanging for his murder.