KUALA LUMPUR: Despite recent bullying incidents at the Royal Military College (RMC), the number of new applications has continued to rise, the Dewan Rakyat was informed.
Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari reported that student applications reached 2,200 last year and have surged to 3,990 this year, although only 260 spots are available.
"The confidence of Malaysians towards RMC is very high. To be accepted in the RMC, an applicant’s ability, talent, and co-curriculum background will be taken into account," Adly stated while responding to a supplementary question from Dr Halimah Ali (PAS-Kapar) in Parliament during Question Time on Monday (Feb 24) morning.
Adly acknowledged that some students might be negatively influenced by their peers, but emphasised that RMC and the Malaysian Army are committed to ensuring high discipline among RMC graduates.
"They are the future of the nation, our defence system, and also our civil service," he added.
Earlier, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muda-Muar) raised a question about the accountability of RMC staff who remain silent about bullying incidents.
Adly explained that RMC adheres to the institution’s "Putera’s oath," which prohibits physical actions against students or staff.
"It is clear that anyone who bullies, whether students or coaches, will face disciplinary action. We will not only take stern action towards bullies, but they will also face legal consequences for their actions," Adly said.
Recently, an RMC student reported being forced to place his feet in scalding water, resulting in burns.
The Defence Ministry has faced controversy over bullying incidents at RMC.
RMC is where the Armed Forces send cadets to undergo basic military courses while pursuing tertiary education at the Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM).
In November last year, a UPNM cadet was charged with injuring a junior using a spiked boot. In the same month, another cadet from the university claimed trial in the Sessions Courts for allegedly causing harm to a junior with a steam iron.
