KUALA LUMPUR: There is a need for the Higher Education Ministry to introduce a set of rules and guidelines on the do’s and don’ts for students in institutions of higher learning, said Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) senior vice-chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
Lee, who expressed his concern over the death of navy cadet officer Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain, who was suspected to be have been abused, also urged the ministry to set up a committee to enable them to investigate the incident and find ways on how they can prevent incidences of bullying and ragging in institutions of higher learning.
He said that the committee should consist of experts from relevant fields such as the university or college management officers, counsellors, psychologists, academicians and the police.
“The death of 21-year-old university student, Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain, should serve as a stark reminder to institutions of higher learning that bullying also exists at the tertiary level.
“Whether it is bullying, ragging or whatever it is called, the Higher Education Ministry must view this latest bullying incident very seriously and act to prevent a repeat of what has happened.
“This latest case is inhuman and despicable and the ministry should set up a committee to investigate how such incident could happen at the university. Furthermore, this happened at a military college, a place where we would expect the highest standards in discipline and safety,” he said.
Lee also urged the authorities to take stern actions against those involved in bullying and physical assault at all educational institutions including suspension and expulsion.
“It has been a long time since we have seen a case involving an older student and it is worrying to see such extreme violence resurfacing,” he said.
Zulfarhan, who is a third year electrical engineering student at the Malaysian National Defence University (UPNM), died at the Serdang Hospital about 10pm on Thursday, about two hours after he was brought to the hospital.
Initial investigations revealed there were multiple bruises and scalding wounds on his upper body, hands and feet, which were believed to be from having a hot iron pressed onto him.
Police have since arrested 36 people, including 32 UPNM students and four Universiti Tenaga Nasional students, aged between 20 and 21, in connection with the case.