KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 12 — His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, has urged the Defence Ministry to address bullying cases at Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) Military Training Academy (ALK).
The latest case, which left a student with rib and spinal fractures, Sultan Ibrahim stressed that such a culture must not continue.
“(Bullying) does not only jeopardise the well-being of students but tarnishes the reputation of higher learning institutions in the country,” His Majesty said in a Facebook post today.
The post noted that His Majesty had earlier granted an audience to Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin at Istana Negara.
Sultan Ibrahim said this was not the first bullying case reported at ALK UPNM, as similar cases there have even resulted in death.
The King said that while rigorous training in the military is common to build mental and emotional resilience — something he experienced during his military training — it should never escalate to bullying or torture to the point of physical harm or death.
“Such actions are inhumane. I urge the Defence Ministry to address this issue seriously, as bullying has repeatedly occurred at ALK UPNM,” said His Majesty.
On Sunday, police confirmed an investigation into an incident involving a 19-year-old UPNM student, who was allegedly stomped on by a senior, causing severe injuries to his ribs and back.
On Friday, a cadet officer from ALK UPNM was charged in the Sessions Court with causing hurt to his junior using a steam iron last month.
— Bernama
