I want nothing to do with UPNM if bullying persists, says king

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim, who is UPNM chancellor, speaking at the university’s convocation at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre. (Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim has called for all relevant parties to put a stop to bullying and abuse at the National Defence University (UPNM), saying he does not want to be linked to the varsity anymore if such issues persist.

The king also expressed regret over bullying cases involving cadet officers at UPNM’s military training academy, which have led to injuries and even the death of navy cadet Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain seven years ago.

“If such abuse continues to happen, I do not want my name to be linked to the university anymore.

“The relevant admirals and commandants must also take responsibility and resign for failing to carry out the duties entrusted to them,” he said at UPNM’s convocation at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre.

The king is UPNM’s chancellor.

While cadets would be trained to build physical and mental grit, Sultan Ibrahim said their training should never involve physical abuse that could lead to injuries or death.

He also said it seemed that no serious effort had been made to tackle the issue despite several cases being brought to court.

He said every party involved in UPNM and its military academy must do all they can to put a halt to bullying or abuse, and restore the institution’s good name.

Last week, defence minister Khaled Nordin said five cadet officers had been expelled from UPNM’s military academy and dismissed from the army. All five had committed physical abuse against another cadet.

They will also have to repay Putrajaya RM189,250.80 for expenses incurred during their studies at the varsity.

Last month, meanwhile, Amirul Iskandar Norhanizan claimed trial to assaulting Salman Saiful Surash, 20, by placing a hot iron on his chest at the UPNM hostel on Oct 22.

Later that month, Adil Mat Awang Ghani, 22, claimed trial to assaulting his junior, Haziq Iqbal Ahmad Rashidi, by stomping on his stomach while wearing spike-soled boots at the UPNM training field on Oct 21.

The most prominent reported case of bullying at UPNM involved Zulfarhan, who was assaulted by his peers non-stop for two days, from May 21 to 22, 2017, for allegedly stealing a laptop which was never found.

In July, the Court of Appeal found six former UPNM students guilty of murdering Zulfarhan, overturning the High Court’s reduced charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. They were handed the death sentence. - FMT