KUALA LUMPUR: Former deputy minister of law and institutional reform, Ramkarpal Singh, will represent a Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) cadet accused of assaulting a junior by pressing a hot iron against his chest.
The Bukit Gelugor member of parliament confirmed that he will be representing Amirul Iskandar Norhanizan during the mention of the case before Sessions Court judge Egusra Ali today.
The 22-year-old accused pleaded not guilty to causing hurt by pressing a heated steam iron on the chest of the 20-year-old cadet officer, Muhammad Salman Mohd Saiful Surash.
He allegedly committed the offence at 11.45pm at Pertahanan Nasidasturi at Akademi Latihan Ketenteraan, UPNM in Sungai Besi on Oct 22.
He faces a maximum 10-year jail term, or a fine, whipping or both under Section 324 of the Penal Code. He was released on RM20,000 bail.
Earlier, the court set Feb 4 for the next mention date after deputy public prosecutor Nadia Eleena Jamaluddin informed the court that several additional documents related to the case had yet to be handed over to the defence.
Meanwhile, when met after the proceedings, Ramkarpal said his client had not instructed him to file any representation regarding the charges. Representation is usually carried out to apply for a retraction or to lower or lessen the charge brought against an accused.
During the proceedings, Amirul Iskandar's parents were also present in court.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain had said an investigation paper was opened after the victim lodged a report at 8.23pm on Nov 1. The report said that the incident allegedly happened at 11.45pm on Oct 22 at the UPNM dormitory.
Razarudin had said the fourth-year senior had grabbed the iron and pressed it on the right side of the victim's chest after asking him to iron his clothes.
He said the incident, witnessed by several other seniors in the room, shocked the victim and he screamed in pain and left burn marks on his chest.
On Oct 31, the armed forces confirmed it had begun a probe into the case.
Police had seized the iron as part of the case's exhibit and had so far recorded statements of 16 persons, including medical officers, university staff, cadet officers and coaches.
The incident marks the second case of abuse at UPNM in seven years. In 2017, the university was shaken by the death of cadet officer Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain, who was tortured and burned with a heated iron.
Six former UPNM students were subsequently sentenced to death by hanging for his murder.