UPNM denies abuse is part of its culture

National Defence University of Malaysia (UPNM) has denied that abuse is part of their culture nor is it a common occurrence at the university.

This comes as viral videos of an abuse incident which took place at the university are being circulated on social media.

“We do not deny that there have been cases of abuse in the past. The university looks seriously upon any cases of abuse whether it involves cadet officers or normal students.

“UPNM practices the concept of zero tolerance for ragging and those who were involved have had disciplinary action taken against them including having their credentials revoked as well as being charged in court according to the laws of the country,” the university said in a statement released today.

Based on internal investigations, the university said the video which went viral involves a case from 2016 and it gives an inaccurate depiction of the situation at that time.

The videos have damaged the university’s image, they said, though they do not know the motive of those who spread the videos.

The university has since lodged a police report about the videos as they hope an investigation will be carried out to determine those behind the videos as well as their motives.

“It is hoped this statement will explain the truth behind those viral videos as well as UPNM’s stand on the abuse issue in the university.

“UPNM continues to focus on academic excellence and research, as well as producing quality graduates who are skilled and have leadership skills that can contribute to the graduates’ high marketability,” the statement read.

UPNM came under the spotlight again recently with the Kuala Lumpur High Court ordering 18 UPNM students implicated in the murder of cadet officer Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain to enter their defence.

Six of them were charged with murder and abetment, while the other 12 were charged with voluntarily causing hurt.

Zulfarhan was believed to have been tortured with a steam iron at the UPNM dormitory on May 22, 2017, after he was accused of stealing a friend’s laptop.

He succumbed to his injuries at the Serdang Hospital on June 1, 2017.

He was reported to suffer burns on the chest, arms and legs.