KUALA LUMPUR: Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin has hinted that a military academy cadet who allegedly burned another student with a hot iron may face dismissal from Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM).
Khaled said the decision regarding the punishment for the student involved would be made today by the ministry's investigation board.
He said the investigation into the incident had already been completed by the investigation board. The ministry believed that the findings were the same as those of the police investigation.
"A police investigation has been carried out, and we (the ministry) have also completed our investigation. The punishment for the student involved will be determined today.
"In any case involving violence, we will not compromise and will take firm action, including dismissing anyone involved from being a cadet, and they will have to repay all expenses incurred during the period they were trained as a cadet.
"In this context, I want to emphasise that the punishment will be in line with that for those involved in acts of violence, whether during orientation or in daily (interactions) among cadets," he said at a press conference after launching the 2024 National Integrity Day celebration here today.
Also present were Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki and Defence Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak.
On Oct 31, the armed forces confirmed that an investigation had been launched into an alleged bullying case involving a second-year cadet officer at the Military Training Academy, UPNM, Sungai Besi.
Police had seized the iron as part of the case's exhibit and had so far recorded the statements of 16 persons, which includes medical officers, university staff, cadet officers and coaches.
Amirul Iskandar Norhanizan, 22, claimed trial for a charge of voluntarily causing hurt with a dangerous weapon on a second-year cadet officer, Muhammad Salman Mohd Saiful Surash last month.