KUALA LUMPUR – Five cadet officers from the military training camp (ALK) of Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysian (UPNM), implicated in three cases of abuse against fellow cadets, have had their commissions revoked and have been dismissed from the Malaysian Armed Forces.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said that the individuals would also be required to compensate the government.
He said the recommendations from ALK regarding the five cadet officers were approved during the 623rd Malaysian Armed Forces Council (MAT) meeting held yesterday.
“This decision does not preclude any additional actions by UPNM or the Attorney General’s Chambers,” he said in a statement today.
“ALK recommended actions against the five perpetrators, including revoking their commissions as cadet officers, dismissing them from military service, and imposing damages to be paid to the government, calculated based on the cost incurred during their study period,” he added.
The cases involved three separate incidents.
In the first case, Cadet Officer Muhammad Salman Mohd Saiful Surash was allegedly abused by Cadet Officer Amirul Iskandar Ahmad Norhanizan, who pressed a hot iron against his chest during a routine body inspection on 28 October.
“Amirul, a Bachelor’s degree student in Electrical and Electronic Engineering (2021 intake), has had his commission revoked and must pay damages amounting to RM44,600. The perpetrator was also charged under Section 324 of the Penal Code at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on 8 November, and the proceedings are ongoing,” Khaled said.
The second case involved Cadet Officers Izzat Izuddin Mohammad Arif (2021 intake), Muhammad Hidayat Haqimi Mohd Yuslan (2023 intake), and Ku Muhammad Irfan Ku Zaimi (2021 intake), who were found guilty of abusing Cadet Officer Alief Ahsreihan Ahslemy.
“All three have had their commissions revoked, been dismissed from military service, and are required to compensate the government RM48,452.75, RM19,481.70, and RM44,600.20, respectively,” Khaled added.
In the third case, Cadet Officer Yeong Kian Rui suffered physical abuse, resulting in a soft tissue injury to his lower back, inflicted by Cadet Officer Ammar Hafiy Muhammad Habib from the 2022 intake.
“The perpetrator has had his commission revoked, been dismissed from service, and must pay damages amounting to RM32,115.95,” he said.
Khaled emphasised that the Defence Ministry is committed to addressing any form of abuse within military institutions and will continue improving preventive measures to avoid such incidents in the future. – November 27, 2024