KUALA LUMPUR: Five cadet officers from Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia’s (UPNM) Military Training Academy, involved in three bullying cases, have faced expulsion from the university and termination from the Malaysian Armed Forces.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin announced the decision following a Malaysian Armed Forces Council meeting, which reviewed recommendations from the training academy. The cadet officers are also required to compensate the Government of Malaysia for the educational expenses incurred during their studies.
The measures are independent of any further actions that might be taken by UPNM or the Attorney General’s Chambers. In the first case, Muhammad Salman Mohd Saiful Surash was assaulted by Amirul Iskandar Ahmad Norhanizan, who pressed a hot iron to the victim’s chest. The incident was discovered during a routine body inspection by the on-duty trainer on October 28, leading to an investigation that confirmed the abuse.
As a co
nsequence, Amirul Iskandar’s cadet officer appointment was revoked, his army service terminated, and he was ordered to pay RM44,600.20 in compensation. Additionally, he faces charges in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court under Section 324 of the Penal Code, with proceedings ongoing.
The second case involved cadet officer Alief Ahsreihan Ahslemy, who suffered abuse at the hands of Izzat Izuddin Mohammad Arif, Muhammad Hidayat Haqimi Mohd Yuslan, and Ku Muhammad Irfan Ku Zaimi. Their misconduct included corrective punishment, physical abuse, forced personal tasks, and isolation, leading to emotional distress for the victim.
The three perpetrators had their cadet officer appointments revoked, their army service terminated, and were ordered to pay compensations of RM48,452.75, RM19,481.70, and RM44,600.20, respectively. In the third case, Ammar Hafiy Muhammad Habib physically assaulted cadet officer Yeong Kian Rui, causing a “soft tissue injury over the lower back due to trauma.”
The perpetrator’s cadet officer a
ppointment was revoked, his army service terminated, and he was ordered to pay RM32,115.95 in compensation. Mohamed Khaled expressed hope that these decisions would serve as a deterrent to future misconduct and reinforce military values. He further reiterated the Ministry of Defence’s commitment to eradicating abuse within military institutions and enhancing preventive measures to ensure such incidents do not recur.
“The Ministry of Defence is committed to taking strong and decisive action against any conduct that violates established ethics and regulations,” Mohamed Khaled stated.