KOTA TINGGI: Roll calls and more frequent checks will be conducted on cadets at Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia's Military Training Academy (MTA) to curb bullying incidents.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the ministry would adopt a strict stance to ensure that bullying at UPNM is eradicated.
"At MTA, UPNM cadets from their first, second, third, and fourth years mix and reside together.
"Usually, incidents of bullying happen here because they spend three to four years together and are aware of the senior-junior hierarchy.
"Therefore, we will conduct frequent roll calls and install more closed-circuit television cameras at MTA.
"If incidents such as fights or bullying occur, surprise roll calls will be held at any time deemed necessary."
He said this during a press conference after officiating the Sustainable Knowledge Transfer, Economic Strengthening, and Empowerment of Community Knowledge programme in Felda Asing Timur here today.
On Dec 3, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, decreed that the culture of abuse at UPNM must stop immediately.
In his first address as UPNM Chancellor, Sultan Ibrahim urged all parties to work towards ending this unhealthy culture and restoring the university's reputation.
Earlier, on Nov 27, media reports revealed that the Armed Forces Council had agreed to terminate the studies of five UPNM cadet officers involved in three bullying cases at the university.
The cadets were also ordered to reimburse the government for expenses incurred during their studies.
On Nov 8, MTA UPNM cadet officer Amirul Iskandar Ahmad Norhanizan, 22, was charged at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court for allegedly pressing a hot iron against a junior trainee's body.
According to the charge, he was accused of intentionally causing harm to Muhammad Salman Mohd Saiful Surash, 20, using a hot steam iron at 11.45pm at the UPNM MTA at the Sungai Besi Camp.
The second case, on Oct 21, involved a first-year student who suffered rib and spinal fractures after being stomped on by senior students. The case was revealed on Nov 10.
Previously, a series of bullying incidents had been reported at UPNM, including the tragic case of cadet Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain, who died from 90 steam iron burns inflicted on his body.