Nation

Defence Minister assures transparency in UPNM bullying investigation

KUALA LUMPUR: Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin has given his assurance that the ministry will be transparent in its investigation into the bullying and abuse case involving a cadet officer at Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM).

He said that the ministry has made it clear that it will not compromise on issues involving discipline.

"The matter is currently under investigation by both the police and the academy (Military Training Academy).

"It's important to understand that this is neither ragging nor an orientation activity. It involves a second-year student and a fourth-year student.

"It's an isolated incident, not a group in nature. They were, perhaps, fighting over a personal issue; we don't know that," he told reporters after attending the Armed Forces Education Excellence Award ceremony, here.

When asked if the suspect will be suspended, Khaled said any decision will be made pending the result of the investigation.

"Let's wait and see what the outcome of the probe is, as the individual involved is a cadet, so any punishment will be determined later, and we will then provide an update," he said.

On Sunday, police have recorded statements from 16 people to facilitate their investigation into the bullying and abuse case

City police chief Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa said the police also seized an iron, which is believed to have been used as the weapon in the case.

He also said that the police is still pending the victim's medical report.

Last Wednesday, the armed forces confirmed it had launched an investigation into the case.

The cadet was allegedly bullied and abused by a senior officer using a heated iron, which reportedly left burn marks on his chest.

This is the second case involving the same method of abuse at UPNM in seven years.

In 2017, the country was shocked by the tragic death of UPNM cadet officer Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain, who died from being bullied, beaten, and tortured, with most of his body repeatedly pressed with a steam iron.

Six former UPNM students later were sentenced to death by hanging by the Court of Appeal for Zulfarhan's murder.

Most Popular
Related Article
Says Stories