UPNM CADET OFFICERS IN BULLYING CASES EXPELLED, TERMINATED AND ORDERED TO PAY COMPENSATION

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 27 (Bernama) -- Five cadet officers from Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia’s (UPNM) Military Training Academy, who were involved in three recent bullying cases, have been expelled from the university and terminated from the Malaysian Armed Forces.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said in a statement today that the decision was made during a Malaysian Armed Forces Council meeting yesterday, following a review of the recommendations put forward by the training academy. 

"Additionally, all these cadet officers have been ordered to pay compensation to the Government of Malaysia, based on the total expenses incurred during their studies," he said.

He emphasised that these measures are independent of any that may be taken by UPNM or the Attorney General’s Chambers.

In the first case, he explained, Muhammad Salman Mohd Saiful Surash was assaulted by Amirul Iskandar Ahmad Norhanizan, who was found to have pressed a hot iron to the victim's chest.

The incident was discovered by the on-duty trainer during a routine body inspection on Oct 28. An investigation revealed that the perpetrator had physically abused the victim.

As a result, Amirul Iskandar's appointment as a cadet officer was revoked, his service in the army was terminated, and he was ordered to pay compensation of RM44,600.20.

He was also charged in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on Nov 8 under Section 324 of the Penal Code, with proceedings still ongoing.

In the second case, cadet officer Alief Ahsreihan Ahslemy was abused by Izzat Izuddin Mohammad Arif, Muhammad Hidayat Haqimi Mohd Yuslan, and Ku Muhammad Irfan Ku Zaimi.

The perpetrators were found to have subjected the victim to various forms of misconduct, including corrective punishment, physical abuse, forced personal tasks, and isolation, causing him emotional distress.

The three perpetrators had their cadet officer appointments revoked, their service in the army terminated, and ordered to pay compensation of RM48,452.75, RM19,481.70, and RM44,600.20, respectively.

The third case involved Ammar Hafiy Muhammad Habib, who physically assaulted cadet officer Yeong Kian Rui, resulting in the victim sustaining a "soft tissue injury over the lower back due to trauma."

The perpetrator’s appointment as a cadet officer was revoked, his service in the army was terminated, and he was ordered to pay compensation amounting to RM32,115.95.

Mohamed Khaled expressed hope that this decision would serve as a deterrent to all parties, helping to restore and reinforce the military values that should be upheld.

He further emphasised that the Ministry of Defence will not tolerate any form of abuse within military institutions and will continuously enhance preventive measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents. 

“The Ministry of Defence is committed to taking strong and decisive action against any conduct that violates established ethics and regulations,” he stated.

-- BERNAMA