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Police Calls UPNM Hot Iron Incident "Joke Gone Too Far", Not Bullying

The police said no arrests were necessary as they had already obtained evidence and statements from everyone involved.

Cover image via Bernama & The Merdeka Times

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Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa has described the alleged bullying incident involving a cadet at the National Defence University (UPNM) as simply a joke gone too far

According to Harian Metro, Rusdi stated that the investigation found no elements of revenge or fighting in this case.

"The incident occurred without motive when the suspect asked the victim whether he had ever tried a hot iron [being pressed on him].

"There was no actual motive, no revenge, no fighting, or bullying. It was just a joke, not even 'ragging'; it was not 'ragging'," he said.

He added that the investigation paper has been submitted to the Attorney-General's Chambers, although police have yet to receive the medical report on the victim's injuries.

Rusdi said there was no need for arrests as they had already obtained evidence and statements from all involved

It was reported that a senior cadet allegedly pressed a hot iron against the chest of a junior cadet at the UPNM hostel in Sungai Besi at around 11.45pm on 22 October.

It is understood that the fourth-year cadet had initially asked the 20-year-old victim to iron his clothes.

The 22-year-old senior cadet then allegedly took the hot iron from the victim and pressed it against his chest.

The case is being investigated under Section 324 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means, according to FMT.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim visited UPNM last weekend following the incident

He handed over the investigation of the case from the university to the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).

Anwar stressed that the culture of bullying in universities must be stopped as it constitutes a form of abuse.

Read the full details of the incident here:

In 2017, the country was shocked by the brutal murder of UPNM navy cadet Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain, who died after being tied up, beaten, and burnt with a steam iron by his classmates:

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