Another iron bullying incident at UPNM? Here’s what you need to know
The incident involved a 20-year-old student who reportedly sustained burns to his chest and hand, allegedly inflicted by a 22-year-old senior cadet from the same academy.
SHAH ALAM - Last month, another shocking incident of bullying at Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) surfaced, recalling the tragic 2017 case that led to a fatality.
In this recent case, the victim sustained injuries but fortunately survived, although further legal action is underway.
The incident involved a 20-year-old student, whose injuries went viral on social media.
He reportedly sustained burns to his chest and hand, allegedly inflicted by a 22-year-old senior cadet from the same Military Training Academy (ALK) in Sungai Besi.
The senior allegedly asked him to iron his shirt but then took the hot iron and pressed it against the junior’s right hand and chest.
Several other senior students were reportedly present in the room during the assault.
The bullying incident was discovered during a routine inspection by the instructor on duty, who noticed the injuries on the victim's body.
On Oct 30, the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) confirmed the incident and pledged a comprehensive investigation, promising no cover-ups and stern disciplinary action against anyone found guilty.
They urged the public to avoid speculation, emphasising that justice would be served.
On Nov 1, MAF Chief General Tan Sri Mohammad Abdul Rahman reaffirmed that the case would be handled without compromise and that those responsible would face consequences.
The victim officially reported the incident on Nov 2, prompting Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain to initiate an investigation under Section 324 of the Penal Code for voluntary violence and abuse.
Kuala Lumpur Police Chief Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa revealed that the iron allegedly used in the assault had been seized and the investigation awaited the victim’s full medical report.
Sixteen individuals, including the victim, suspect, ALK staff, witnesses and medical officers who treated the injuries, have since provided statements to the police.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim spoke up about the bullying issue, saying that the management in all education systems must take responsibility for putting a stop to the culture of bullying to prevent any further harm to students.
The incident has reignited painful memories of a similar case from 2017, where military cadet Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain tragically died on June 1 after a bullying episode involving a hot iron.
That case, centred around a stolen laptop, saw Zulfarhan being bullied, beaten, and tortured, with most of his body repeatedly pressed with a steam iron.
His death sparked widespread concern over a possible culture of bullying at UPNM, a concern further fuelled by this latest case.
Zulfarhan’s father has since called on authorities to take firm legal action to prevent further tragedies.
