27-11-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR) Malaysia’s defence ministry has taken decisive action against five military cadets involved in serious bullying incidents at the National Defence University (UPNM), ordering their immediate expulsion and demanding substantial financial compensation.
Defence Minister Khaled Nordin announced that the Malaysian Armed Forces council has dismissed the cadets from both the military training academy (ALK) and the armed forces, requiring them to collectively reimburse nearly RM190,000 in educational expenses.
Among the most serious cases, cadet Amirul Iskandar Norhanizan faces criminal charges for allegedly burning a fellow officer with a hot iron in October. He has been ordered to repay RM44,600 in training costs.
Three other cadets – Izzat Izuddin Arif, Hidayat Haqimi Yuslan, and Ku Muhammad Irfan Ku Zaimi – were found responsible for implementing unauthorised “corrective punishments” and isolation tactics that caused psychological trauma to their victim. They must repay amounts ranging from RM19,000 to RM48,000.
The fifth cadet, Ammar Hafiy Habib, faces compensation demands of RM32,115 for inflicting soft tissue injuries on another officer’s lower back through physical abuse.
“These sanctions do not preclude additional legal action by either the university or the Attorney-General’s Chambers,” Minister Khaled emphasised, adding that the ministry maintains a zero-tolerance stance on abuse within military institutions.
The minister stressed that the harsh penalties aim to serve as a deterrent and reinforce proper military values. “We are implementing stronger preventive measures to ensure such incidents never recur in our military training facilities,” he said.
This crackdown represents one of the most severe disciplinary actions taken against military cadets in recent Malaysian history, reflecting growing concern about hazing culture in military institutions.
The defence ministry’s stern response signals a clear message that traditional notions of “toughening up” recruits through abuse will no longer be tolerated in Malaysia’s modern military establishment.
