KUALA LUMPUR: The investigation into the alleged abuse of a cadet officer at Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) has been forwarded to the Attorney General's Chambers.
City police chief Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa confirmed that the investigation paper (IP) was submitted this evening.
He clarified that although the medical report had not yet been received, the investigation was ongoing.
"We have sent the IP to the Attorney General's Chambers and are awaiting further instructions," he said, speaking to reporters after attending a sexual crimes and online scam awareness programme in Taman Tasik Metropolitan Kepong today.
Rusdi addressed concerns raised by some parties questioning why the suspect had not been remanded.
He explained that various factors were considered before deciding on remand, and that a case does not automatically require it.
"In this case, we have already secured the weapon, identified the suspect, and collected statements from the victim and witnesses. Therefore, there was no need for remand at this stage," he said, adding that this was the first time the victim had been bullied.
Police have recorded statements from 16 people and seized an iron, which is believed to have been used in the abuse. The victim's medical report is still pending.
Last Wednesday, the Armed Forces confirmed it had launched its own investigation into the incident.
The cadet was reportedly abused by a senior officer with a heated iron, leaving burn marks on his chest.
This incident marks the second case of similar abuse at UPNM in seven years.
In 2017, the university was rocked by the tragic death of cadet officer Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain, who died after being tortured and burned with an iron.
Six former UPNM students were sentenced to death by hanging for his murder.