Team probing cadet officer's death to report to Hishammuddin

JOHOR BARU: The special investigation board set up to uncover the truth behind the death of Malaysian National Defence University (UPMN) student Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain (pic) will report directly to Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.

He said the board, set up by the Armed Forces, will be chaired by its chief Jen Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Nor.

"The board will report directly to me to ensure there is no bureaucracy in the investigations," Hishammuddin told reporters after visiting Zulfarhan's family here on Thursday.

He also urged all parties involved, including the Armed Forces, to give their full cooperation to the police, as investigations were still ongoing.

"We will get the truth out and those involved will face the music, this is my promise to the family," he said, adding that he had also just learnt that the deceased was a distant relative of his.

The 21-year-old final-year navy cadet officer died on June 1.

It was alleged that Zulfarhan may have been a victim of bullying due to a dispute over a laptop, where he was allegedly bound, beaten and burned with an iron.

So far, 36 students have been arrested in connection with the case.