KUALA LUMPUR – A soldier has died after alleged abuse by senior personnel at Kem Sri Miri in Sarawak, with investigations now underway by both the army and the police.
The victim, identified as Private Muhammad Muqriz Aseri, 21, from the 20th Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment (20 RMR), was pronounced dead at 3.05 am on Monday after collapsing in the barracks, local media reported.
Sarawak police commissioner Datuk Mancha Ata confirmed the incident but did not disclose whether any arrests had been made.
According to initial reports, Muqriz was woken up at around 2.15 am by two senior personnel for sahur and was allegedly instructed to perform a ‘commando rest’—a position where the head is placed on the floor with hands behind the back—for two minutes, followed by 20 push-ups.
Following the exercises, he was seen sweating and briefly standing before collapsing. A corporal, who was the head of the shared barracks room, was alerted to the situation.
The army, in a statement, revealed that a post-mortem examination conducted at Miri Hospital determined the cause of death to be blunt force trauma to the chest (contusio cordis), caused by a strong impact that led to heart damage.
“The case has been handed over to the police for further investigation. (However), the army has also set up an internal board of inquiry to determine the cause and contributing factors of the incident,” it said.
Army chief General Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan assured that the matter was being taken seriously, adding that full cooperation would be given to ensure a transparent and fair investigation.
“The army will not compromise with any personnel found to be involved or guilty in this incident. We also urge the public to refrain from making statements or speculations that could affect the ongoing investigation,” he said.
Muqriz’s remains were flown to Kuala Lumpur and laid to rest at the Al-Islamiah Mosque cemetery in Kampung Lindungan, Petaling Jaya, at 11.55 pm last night. – March 26, 2025