KUALA LUMPUR: Regular physical examinations will be conducted on Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia cadets to detect signs of bullying.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said this is one of the eight measures that will be implemented to prevent bullying in UPNM.
This follows recent incidents in which one cadet suffered burns after a senior pressed a hot iron against his chest, while another sustained a fractured rib and spine after being assaulted by a different senior.
He said the ministry also plans to install more CCTVs at UPNM hostels.
"Since February 2023, seven CCTV cameras have been installed on various levels of the accommodation blocks," he said in the Dewan Rakyat.
"The ministry plans to increase this number as needed."
Khaled was responding to a question from Commander (Rtd) Nordin bin Ahmad Ismail (PN-Lumut) on the ministry's efforts to stop bullying in UPNM.
Khaled said that cadets must not cover up any bullying and warned that action would be taken against those who do.
He also said the Malaysian Armed Forces has assigned a duty trainer to each company in UPNM for closer monitoring.
The trainers will also conduct patrols at cadet accommodations at night.
Khaled also said first-year cadets, often the target of bullying, have been housed separately since April and are under the supervision of trainers.
Meetings will also be held between cadets and senior Military Training Academy (ALK) officials for them to report misconduct.
UPNM is responsible for these students between 8am until 5pm; and then until the next morning, ALK is responsible for them.
Khaled said the number of officers and other personnel of other ranks (LLP) stationed at ALK has also been increased.
"Previously, there were 31 officers, now there are 48, and the number of LLPs has increased from 124 to 182.
"Of the total, 24 officers and 48 LLPs have been appointed as trainers. This appointment aims to reduce the burden on a single trainer, with a monitoring ratio of one trainer for every 20 cadets."
"The increased number of trainers also enables a more detailed administrative oversight of cadets by dividing them into smaller groups—from four battalions to eight companies, with each company housing a maximum of 150 cadets, instead of a battalion with 320 cadets, for closer monitoring," he added.
Assigned officers and LLPs must not have any disciplinary issues and must be approved by the Trainer and Placement Selection Board.
Khaled said hazing was prohibited and that any cadet found guilty of misconduct would be dismissed.