Mindef to Finalize Punishment for 5 UPNM Cadets in Bullying Cases*  

KOTA TINGGI — The Defence Ministry will announce the punishment for five Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) cadets involved in two bullying incidents last month within two weeks. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin confirmed penalties, including expulsion, fines, and repayment of sponsorship funds, await approval from the Armed Forces Council.  

The ministry is cracking down on bullying at UPNM, with strict actions promised against offenders and those who conceal such cases. Khaled emphasized that bullying is not part of military training and condemned incidents like assaults with hot irons.  

The cases include a cadet officer, Amirul Iskandar Norhanizan, charged on Nov 8 for injuring a peer with a steam iron, and a first-year student severely injured after being stomped on by a senior on Oct 22.