UPNM bullying cases: Punishments for cadets to be announced in two weeks, expulsion and fines on the table, says defence minister Posted on 16/11/2024 KOTA TINGGI, Nov 16 — The decision on the punishment against five cadets from the Military Training Academy (ALK) of the Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) involved in two bullying cases last month will be announced within two weeks. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the punishments, which include expulsion from the academy, fines and repayment of all sponsorship funds received during their studies, require approval from the Armed Forces Council. “The ministry has already made a decision regarding the involved cadets — they will indeed face penalties, including expulsion, fines and the repayment of all expenses borne by the government during their time as cadets at the university, and they must leave the ALK. “Once the sentence is confirmed by the Council in the next two weeks, the decision will be final,” he told reporters after launching the Kota Tinggi Parliamentary Volunteers at the Kota Tinggi Parliamentary Service Centre here last night. Mohamed Khaled said the ministry takes bullying incidents at UPNM seriously and will take firm action against those involved, including individuals who conceal such cases. “Anyone involved in cruelty, bullying and abuse will face severe punishment, and we will also tighten measures against those who hide or fail to report bullying cases,” he said. The minister stressed that bullying is not part of military training as stipulated under cadet officer regulations. “I want to clarify that while military training is indeed tough, it does not involve acts of cruelty such as assaults with hot irons,” he said. However, Mohamed Khaled said that there are no plans to prohibit the use of irons at ALK-UPNM, despite the appliance being frequently used as a tool in bullying incidents. On November 8, ALK-UPNM cadet officer Amirul Iskandar Norhanizan, 22, pleaded not guilty at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court to a charge of injuring Muhammad Salman Mohd Saiful Surash, 20, using a hot steam iron at the academy in UPNM at 11.45pm on October 22. On November 10, another bullying case involving a UPNM student was reported, where a first-year student sustained serious injuries, including fractured ribs and spine, after being stomped on by a senior in an incident on October 21. — Bernama News
Pahang pledges full support in MACC probe into bauxite theft and bribery scandal Posted on 16/11/2024 KUANTAN, Nov 16 — The Pahang government has pledged full cooperation with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in the investigation into the illegal excavation of mineral resources, believed to contain bauxite, bypassing proper procedures, in the state. Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, reaffirmed that the state government… Read More
Iran calls to expel Israel from UN after strike on Syria Posted on 11/11/2024 A Syrian man passes by a bridge in Qusair, linking to Lebanon, which was destroyed by an Israeli airstrike. (AP pic) TEHRAN: Iran’s foreign ministry called Sunday for an arms embargo on Israel and the expulsion of its arch-foe from the United Nations, following a deadly strike in Syria. Foreign ministry… Read More
RM493.5m allocated for 13 flood mitigation projects in Klang, Selangor assembly told Posted on 26/11/2024 SHAH ALAM, Nov 26 — A total of 13 flood mitigation projects, with a combined allocation of RM493.5 million, are currently being implemented in Klang to reduce the risk of flooding in the district. Selangor Infrastructure and Agriculture Committee chairman Izham Hashim, said two of these projects, valued at RM359.7… Read More