UPNM: 'Need to be assertive in matters of bullying,' minister says

Higher Education Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir has called for action in the latest bullying case involving a student at Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM).

He said this is despite the student being under the Military Training Academy (ALK) compound of the university.

“I have ordered (action) (against what) happened in ALK even though it is not under the supervision of UPNM…

“We don’t want to take the approach of saying this is not within our jurisdiction, but the most important thing is that we need to be assertive in matters such as bullying,” he said.

Zambry (above) said the case involved a first-year student who was believed to have been stepped on by a senior, resulting in a fractured rib and injuries to his spine.

“I have discussed with the defence minister as the minister responsible for the matter in ALK and what steps the Higher Education Ministry can take together to ensure this incident does not happen again.

“We need to be firm and actions need to be taken including legal action against the perpetrators,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters at the launch of Tun Abdul Razak’s book “Imagining Malaysia’s Future Through His Lenses” in Kuala Lumpur today.

Zambry said he has instructed all vice-chancellors of universities to ensure that acts of bullying are monitored closely and to take immediate action against the perpetrators.

“I want to emphasise that the government and the Higher Education Ministry in particular will not tolerate any bullying in any institution of higher education and this is the policy we set.”

He also said his ministry welcomes any form of suggestion and cooperation to ensure the safety of students.

Parliamentary motion

Asked about Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman’s submission in Parliament yesterday on finding a solution to the bullying issue that has shocked the country, Zambry said he would leave it to Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul.

“I leave it to the discretion of Dewan Rakyat speaker to decide. I do not want to interfere because it is proposed to the speaker of the House, so let him decide,” he said.

On Sunday, the police confirmed they are investigating an incident involving a 19-year-old UPNM student who was suspected of being stepped on by a third-year student of the university resulting in serious injuries to the rib and spine of the victim.

There was another incident of bullying there last month, with an ALK UPNM cadet officer being brought before the Sessions Court on charges of injuring his junior using a hot steam iron.

In another incident at the same institution, navy cadet Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain died in 2017 from 90 instances of steam ironing which left scalding burns on 80 percent of his body.

The court found six former UPNM students guilty of murder in July this year and sentenced them to death.

- Bernama

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