Four suspensions, one expulsion and a funeral

MOHAMMAD Naim Mustaqim Mohamad Sobri, a 16 year-old student at the Royal Military College (RMC), died after he was allegedly bullied by a group of students at the same college. Following investigations, the Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid said that a student had been expelled and four others suspended, in connection with the student's death.

The RMC which started life as the Federation Military College (FMC) in 1953, was initiated by Field Marshal Viscount Templar. Its specific aim was to nurture young Malayans/Malaysians to lead as officers in the Armed Forces of the Federation, or as captains in commerce and industry. The motto of the RMC is "Serve to lead".

This tragic incident at the college has marred the image of the RMC. According to interviews with past students and parents, this reputation was already on a downhill slide. There were allegations of indiscipline, bullying, lack of dedicated instructors, cover-ups and unruly boys.

Bullying can be physical or verbal. Both are unacceptable. It leaves the victim psychologically damaged. Every attempt to nip bullying in the bud is critical.

The RMC has been plagued with stories of hospitalisations because of beatings and physical abuse. Various issues discussed at the 'parents-and-teachers' meetings were unresolved. Without positive action from the camp Commandant, parents had no alternative but to withdraw their children. Measures to curb the bullying were ineffective. Maybe lessons were never learnt.

According to Zahid, the expelled student had "allegedly carried out the bullying with intention since the beginning of the year."

He also said that his ministry condemned bullying in military schools and similar incidents would be prevented from recurring. He also said of the expelled student, "A civil suit will take place as well. He will be facing actions from the military, us (the ministry) and the police."

In addition, Defence Ministry secretary-general and RMC chairman Abu Bakar Abdullah said that the college had taken action against students, who violated its rules such as bullying, before by segregating or removing them. He added, "To prevent a recurrence of such incidents, there will be strict surveillance with wardens required to make night rounds at hostels".

Parents entrust their child to the Commandant and his team of Senior Military Officers (SMO). These are the people who supervise the discipline and welfare of the students. Parents expect that responsibility to be upheld, and that trust to be respected.

Parents will be asking why these measures were never undertaken earlier. Moreover, a good SMO is aware of what happens under his watch.

When Zahid said that there would be civil suits from the military, the ministry and police, against the student responsible, he overlooked the fact that the dead boy's parents might take out civil suits against the SMO, Camp Commandant, the Ministry of Defence and possibly himself.

Zahid cannot abdicate responsibility for Mohammed Naim's death and simply blame the expelled boy. If there had been proper discipline and procedures in place, none of this might have happened.

A death has occurred. Someone in authority has to be held accountable.Those whom we hold responsible cannot neglect their moral and legal obligation, and fail in their duty of care towards their charges.

There has been a failure of leadership and a culture of indifference. If the RMC is to maintain its reputation and excellence, then heads must roll. Only then will the RMC motto, "Serve to lead", mean something.

courtesy of Malaysian Mirror