Scandal-hit Malaysian military university mired in new bullying row

The latest case involves a first-year student who required hospital treatment for fractures to ribs and spine after being beaten by a senior

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Royal Malaysia Army troops march during the National Day celebrations in Kuala Lumpur in 2022. Photo: AP

Published: 1:17pm, 11 Nov 2024

Malaysia’s police are probing a fresh bullying case at a military university which has gained notoriety over its allegedly violent student culture, just days after a cadet was charged with burning a junior on the chest with a hot iron.

The Malaysian National Defence University (UPNM) has been the target of public outcry over cases of severe bullying among its student population, including the death of a cadet in 2017 which shocked the nation.

In the latest incident, a first-year student was sent to hospital after he was allegedly assaulted by a senior in late October, resulting in fractures to his ribs and spine, police said on Sunday.

The 19-year-old victim was believed to have been stomped on by a year-three senior on October 21 after the night’s final roll-call, according to a police statement, with the complaint lodged on Friday night.

Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the “unacceptable” case had been handed over to police for investigations.

“The ministry views such incidents as inappropriate and [damaging to the] image of UPNM,” the minister was quoted as saying at an event late on Sunday by local English daily The Star.