KUALA LUMPUR: This week's Beyond the Headlines delves into the floods that have devastated multiple states nationwide and the bullying scandal at Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) that demands urgent attention.
Between November 26 and 30, Kelantan and Terengganu were inundated with record-breaking rainfall—1,442mm in Kelantan and 1,761mm in Terengganu, equivalent to six months' worth of rain in just five days.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim commended the efforts of over 80,000 civil servants and volunteers who mobilised for flood relief.
However, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad warned of another potential monsoon surge starting December 8, urging proactive disaster preparedness.
Nik Nazmi advocated for stricter zoning laws and modernised infrastructure, drawing comparisons to international solutions like the Netherlands' "Room for the River" and Tokyo's underground flood tanks.
Viral videos of communities saving animals alongside their neighbours illustrate both the devastation and resilience of those affected.
The show brings the latest information from the Terengganu Fire and Rescue Department of its flood mitigation operation and other relief updates from the ground.
Bullying incidents involving a UPNM cadet pressing a hot iron against a junior cadet's chest, and another reportedly stomping on a junior's stomach with spiked boots have reignited national anger.
His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, the new chancellor of UPNM, threatened to sever ties with the institution if such "inhumane" practices persist.
His statement came during UPNM's December 3 convocation, just months after six former students were sentenced to death for the 2017 death of navy cadet Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain.
The dual operating system at UPNM—combining academic and military training—has come under scrutiny, with Higher Education Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir suggesting it may foster a culture of abuse.
We spoke with former armed forces chief General (Rtd) Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor to get his take on fostering a culture of respect, teamwork and ethical leadership.
As Malaysia confronts these challenges, the nation must decide whether to continue reactive measures or embrace proactive, systemic change.
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