SUBANG: The Armed Forces’ investigation into the alleged assault of a Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) cadet by a senior will conclude its findings tomorrow, says the Defence Minister.
Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the Armed Forces will wait for its investigation board to submit its findings before deciding on the next course of action.
“The board consists of senior Armed Forces officers, and its investigation is separate from that by the police,” he told a press conference after attending the sending-off ceremony for the first batch of the Malaysian Battalion (Malbatt) 850-12 squad at Subang Air Force Base yesterday.
“They will make their recommendations on the action to be taken based on existing guidelines.”
The police are investigating the incident following a report lodged by the 20-year-old victim last Friday.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain previously said the incident had occurred at a UPNM dormitory room at 11.45pm on Oct 22.
According to Razarudin, a fourth-year senior, 22, had asked the victim to iron his clothes but abruptly took the appliance held by the victim before putting it on the cadet’s chest.
The IGP said it shocked the victim who then screamed after he was scorched, adding that several other seniors were also in the room.
The complainant, he said, was also asked to seek treatment at a hospital to verify the injuries he had suffered.
On Friday, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said bullying would not be tolerated at any university or educational institution in the country.
Speaking during an event at the defence university, the Prime Minister also urged those in charge of academic institutions to stop the bullying culture.
In a statement on Oct 30, the Armed Forces said it was investigating a case where a UPNM cadet was allegedly bullied and tortured by a senior.
A video of the incident had went viral, showing a student pressing a hot iron against another’s chest.
Separately, Mohamed Khaled said the ministry had submitted a cancellation notice on the lease contract for four Black Hawk helicopters for the Armed Forces.
“October passed and there are no helicopters.
“We have sent the cancellation notice (for the lease contract),” he said when asked to comment on the status of the acquisition of the assets.
It had been reported that the lease contract for the four Black Hawk helicopters for the Malaysian Army was likely to be cancelled.
Mohamed Khaled had said the Armed Forces was tasked with exploring alternatives to the UH-60A Black Hawk helicopters should the cancellation take place.
In September, he said his ministry had given Aerotree Defence and Services Sdn Bhd until October to deliver the four aircraft to the army.
