KUALA LUMPUR — The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) is investigating the death of a Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Reserve Officer Training Unit cadet who died following an unscheduled training session in which he allegedly suffered physical abuse and was left unattended after he fainted.
The Armed Forces in a statement said the investigation will be thorough and without any compromise.
“The investigation will be done by the air force’s Provost Marshal Branch.
“The investigation will be done in detail without any protection or compromise for anyone involved in the case. Legal action will be taken if wrongdoing is found,” the statement said.
Earlier today, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir said he was waiting for a full report from the authorities on the case, which was reported by Malaysiakini citing a police report by the cadet’s father.
The cadet, Muhammad Amir Rusyaidi Muhammad Zaid, died on Nov 13 after an unscheduled training session on Nov 10 in which he was reportedly made to move like a horse while carrying another person on his back. He allegedly had his chest stepped on, besides being made to do kangaroo jumps.
According to the police report by his father, his son fainted and was left under the sun for at least 30 minutes. He was then brought to the Shah Alam Hospital by a coach.
The father also claimed that he was told about the acts his son was made to perform during training by his son’s friend after the body’s burial was completed.
The incident follows two cases of bullying and physical assault in October at another institution, the National Defence University (UPNM).
On Oct 22, a junior cadet suffered burns after a fourth-year senior pressed a hot steam iron on the victim’s chest several times. The senior, Amirul Iskandar Norhanizan, 22, has been charged and pleaded not guilty to voluntary causing hurt.
Another case at UPNM, on Oct 21, involved a first-year cadet who suffered fractured ribs and spinal injuries after he was repeatedly stomped on by a third-year senior. – November 27, 2024