Soldier had complained of bullying, physical assaults at camp

The late Abdul Aziz Aznam, who was an army soldier, had once complained to family members about the bullying and physical assaults he had to endure at camp. - STR/BALQIS JAZIMAH ZAHARI

BATU PAHAT: The late Abdul Aziz Aznam, who was an army soldier, had once complained to family members about the bullying and physical assaults he had to endure at camp.

Among others, Abdul Aziz claimed that he was punched repeatedly and his cheeks grazed with a metal wire brush.

A source said those incidents had led to his death, believed to be from a suicide attempt after he fell from the third floor of his army hostel building in Batu Pahat on Aug 29.

He was pronounced dead at the Sultanah Nora Ismail Hospital (HSNI) on Sept 6.

Before his death, the source claimed Abdul Aziz was seen to be dishevelled and sustained facial scars upon returning home in Ipoh back in January.

The source said Abdul Aziz had run away from camp.

"The scars were believed wounds caused by a metal wire brush. He also claimed he was beaten at the base. Abdul Aziz ran away from the camp after he could no longer endure the ragging.

"He once showed photos of him with bruises all over his bodies and told me that he could no longer stand being abused," the source said when contacted.

It said the victim had voluntarily returned to the camp on Aug 28, a day before he was reportedly in critical condition.

"His family members had advised him to return to the camp and he agreed.

"He was perfectly healthy when he was sent back to the camp. But the next day, his family members and I were contacted by an army officer who informed us Abdul Aziz had fallen from the third floor of his hostel.

"The officer said Abdul Aziz was suffering from severe head and chest injuries. He was in critical condition and warded in the intensive care unit (ICU)."

The source then said the victim's family members immediately lodged a police report and hoped the military would take further action.

"Abdul Aziz's family members have requested the hospital to produce a thorough post-mortem report."

Meanwhile, Batu Pahat deputy district police chief Superintendent Muhammad Izzudin Rungai said the family's claims about the victim suffering from physical harm and bullying would be looked into.

"We were informed of the victim's death in HSNI's ICU at 2.30pm on Sept 6.

"A post-mortem is being carried out today to determine the cause of his death." - NST