KUALA LUMPUR: A university student undergoing Reserve Officer Training Unit (Palapes) training at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Shah Alam died during training due to heat stroke and multiple organ failure
Selangor police chief Datuk Seri Hussein Omar Khan said the post-mortem report revealed that the 21-year-old victim's death was a result of heatstroke.
He said on Nov 10, the trainee, who had been participating in fitness drills as part of the programme collapsed during a physical training session at the marching field under the supervision of a Palapes instructor.
"The trainee was reportedly ordered to do push-ups as a disciplinary measure for falling behind during a running session.
"Witnesses said he was in a jumping exercise before he suddenly collapsed.
"The victim was rushed to Shah Alam Hospital's emergency red zone in a semi-conscious state and had a high body temperature," he said in a statement.
Hussein said medical staff initiated hydration efforts, but his condition deteriorated, leading to seizures.
"He was later transferred to the hospital's intensive care unit (ICU) before he passed away on Nov 13, at about 2am," he said, adding that the official cause of death was determined to be "heat stroke with multiorgan failure."
Initial investigations revealed that the trainee had joined the Palapes programme in late October this year and was preparing for basic training scheduled for 2025, he said.
"There were no external injuries found on his body, and the case has been classified as a sudden death report (SDR)," he said.
He also confirmed receiving a police report from the victim's father on Nov 15.
"Police have recorded statements from nine individuals, including the complainant."
He urged anyone with additional information about the incident to contact investigating officer ASP Mohd Khairi Kamaruddin at 012-266 6025.
Earlier, the Armed Forces confirmed it has launched a thorough investigation into the death of the trainee during a military training session.
In the police report, the victim's father said that his child was physically abused, being stomped on the chest and forced to perform actions such as mimicking a horse while being ridden by the trainer.