The armed forces investigation into the cadet attack ends tomorrow

SUBANG: The armed forces’ investigation into the alleged attack on a Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) cadet by a senior will conclude its findings tomorrow, the defense minister says.

Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the armed forces will wait for the board of inquiry to announce its findings before deciding on the next course of action.

“The board consists of senior officers from the armed forces, and its investigation is separate from that of the police,” he told a news conference after attending the farewell ceremony for the first batch of the Malaysian Battalion (Malbatt) 850-12 team at Subang air 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 made by the 20-year-old victim last Friday.

Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain earlier said the incident took place at a UPNM dormitory on October 22 at 11.45pm.

According to Razarudin, a 22-year-old fourth-year student asked the victim to iron his clothes, but abruptly grabbed the device the victim was holding before placing it on the cadet’s chest.

The IGP said it shocked the victim who then screamed after being scalded, 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 sustained.

On Friday, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said bullying would not be tolerated in any university or educational institution in the country.

Speaking at an event at the defense university, the Prime Minister also urged those in charge of academic institutions to stop the culture of bullying.

In a statement on October 30, the armed forces said they were investigating a case in which a UPNM cadet was allegedly bullied and tortured by a senior.

A video of the incident went viral, showing a student pressing a hot iron against another person’s chest.

In addition, Mohamed Khaled said the ministry had submitted a notice of termination for the lease contract for four Black Hawk helicopters for the armed forces.

“October passed and there are no helicopters.

“We have sent the notice (for the lease contract),” he said when asked to comment on the status of the acquisition of the assets.

It was reported that the lease contract for the four Black Hawk helicopters for the Malaysian military was likely to be cancelled.

Mohamed Khaled had said the armed forces were 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 Defense and Services Sdn Bhd until October to deliver the four aircraft to the military.