THE harrowing case of Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain, a young navy cadet at the National Defence University Malaysia (UPNM), who was subjected to brutal bullying that led to his death, has sent shockwaves throughout the country.
This tragic incident was more than just a personal loss. It poses troubling questions about values within our military institutions in their effort to forge leaders of courage, integrity and compassion.
It is unfair to lump all military institutions as facing the same issue but the tragedy has exposed a culture of cruelty, intimidation and a complete disregard for human life.
Generally speaking, this incident raises profound questions about our military education.
1. Are our institutions truly cultivating the right kind of character in our young cadets?
2. Are we prioritising physical and mental toughness over empathy and humanity?
A common perception is that the military is a strictly hierarchical institution where discipline is paramount. However, discipline should never be confused with brutality. The onus is now on the military leadership to take decisive action that must include a comprehensive review of the curriculum, training programmes and the overall culture within military academies.
Bullying, a pervasive issue globally, has cast a long shadow over the country's educational landscape. While the problem is multifaceted, a closer examination reveals a disturbing correlation between the prevalence of bullying and a perceived lack of wisdom and maturity among university students.
From physical aggression to psychological torment, bullying takes various forms, leaving lasting scars on its victims.
Wisdom, often defined as the ability to apply knowledge and experience to make sound judgments, is a cornerstone of mature behaviour. Its absence can manifest in various forms of misconduct, including bullying.
University students, at a pivotal stage of their personal development, should ideally be equipped with the wisdom to navigate social complexities and resolve conflicts peacefully.
It is imperative to instil in university cadets a strong sense of ethics, empathy and respect for human life. Addressing this issue involves comprehensive education, suitable mentorship programmes and parental engagement.
Furthermore, there is a need for robust mechanisms to report and address cases of bullying. A culture of silence must be replaced with one of openness and accountability.
We cannot allow this to happen again. We must work together to create a military that is not just strong, but also compassionate, humane and full of wisdom.
The memory of Zulfarhan should serve as a constant reminder of the kind of society we aspire to be - a society where every life is valued, and where human dignity is upheld at all costs.
DR AZYYATI MOHD SUHAIMI
Associate Professor,
Faculty of Pharmacy,
Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin