UPNM Cadet Officer Pleads Not Guilty to Stomping Junior with Spiked Boots

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 22 — A cadet officer from the National Defence University of Malaysia (UPNM) pleaded not guilty in court today to charges of injuring a junior by stomping on his stomach with spiked boots last month.

Mohd Adil Mat Awang Ghani, 22, was accused of intentionally causing harm to 19-year-old Muhammad Haziq Iqbal Ahmad Rashidi during a parade at UPNM’s Sungai Besi Camp on October 21.

The charge under Section 323 of the Penal Code carries a penalty of up to one year in prison, a fine of RM2,000, or both. Mohd Adil denied the charge when read in court.

The prosecution proposed bail of RM10,000 with one surety and conditions barring the accused from contacting the victim or witnesses. However, the defense requested a lower bail, citing the accused’s ongoing military training. Magistrate Noorelynna Hanim Abd Halim granted bail of RM5,000 with the specified conditions and set the next hearing for February 10, 2024.