TANAH MERAH: The Defence Ministry will further increase the number of wardens at Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) in an effort to curb bullying incidents.
Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari said the ministry has zero tolerance for bullying, noting that recent incidents have raised serious concerns among the public, especially parents, about sending their children to the university.
Adly said key areas that will be improved upon in response to the bullying incidents are the legal and administrative approaches.
"Legally, we have referred the matter to the police for further investigation."
"Administratively, we are increasing the number of wardens to ensure more students are monitored and supported, helping to prevent similar incidents in the future."
Adly said that the initiative to increase wardens was first introduced after the 2017 death of Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain, a UPNM student who died following a bullying incident.
The minister spoke to reporters after attending the Desa Madani Veterans Programme in Tanah Merah on Saturday.
A senior UPNM student recently pleaded not guilty to charges of intentionally injuring a junior cadet using a hot steam iron. The incident occurred last month.
Amirul Iskandar Norhanizan, 22, denied the charge when it was read to him at the Sessions Court on Friday before Judge Egusra.
According to the charge, Amirul allegedly caused injuries to 20-year-old Muhammad Salman Mohd Saiful Surash by using a hot steam iron.
The incident allegedly occurred at 11.45 pm on Oct 22, in a room at the UPNM Military Training Academy block at Sungai Besi Camp.