UiTM cadet death: Cops question alleged abuser, eight witnesses

Police have confirmed that nine witnesses including the alleged culprit have been called to record their statements over the alleged abuse case against UiTM Reserve Officer Training Unit (Rotu) cadet Muhammad Amir Rusyaidi Muhammad Zaidi.

Shah Alam district police chief Mohd Iqbal Ibrahim was responding to Malaysiakini on whether police had detained the alleged perpetrator.

“There’s a misunderstanding... (He’s) being called to give a statement,” Iqbal said.

Selangor police chief Hussein Omar Khan said that the victim’s father Muhammad Zaidi Abdul Rahman was among the nine witnesses who have been called for questioning.

The initial investigation found that the alleged “unscheduled” training session was a fitness test before the commencement of basic Rotu training for next year, he added.

“On the day of the incident, the training had penalised the deceased with push-ups for lagging behind during a running session.

“The student was observed jumping repeatedly before collapsing,” Hussein said.

No positive response

Hussein said Amir was treated at the red zone emergency ward of Shah Alam Hospital and upon initial examination, the victim was semi-conscious with a high body temperature.

“Despite rehydration efforts, there was no positive response. The deceased experienced seizures and received subsequent treatment before being admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. No external injuries were found on his body.

“The student was pronounced dead on Nov 13, at approximately 2.01am. The cause of death was determined to be ‘heatstroke with multiorgan failure’,” he added.

Yesterday, Malaysiakini reported that Amir passed away on Nov 13 after an allegedly gruelling training session.

Amir’s father claimed in a police report that the cadet had been subjected to physical abuse, including being stepped on the chest, forced to perform horse-like movements with a trainer riding on his back, and ordered to jump like a kangaroo.

These activities on Nov 10 were allegedly captured on video by the trainer.

The 25-year-old cadet collapsed following the training and was in a coma until his death.

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