UiTM Cadet Dies After Gruelling Training Session Involving Alleged Abuse
The 25-year-old cadet collapsed following the training and remained in a coma until his death.
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A UiTM Reserve Officer Training Unit (ROTU) cadet died on 13 November, after enduring a training session that allegedly involved physical abuse earlier that week
According to Malaysiakini, the victim, Muhammad Amir Rusyaidi, 25, collapsed following the training on 10 November, and remained in a coma until his death.
Muhammad Zaidi Abdul Rahman, the father of the victim, reported to the police that his son had been subjected to various forms of physical abuse during the unscheduled training session.
The alleged abuse included having his chest stepped on, being forced to jump like a kangaroo, and perform horse-like movements with a trainer riding on his back. All these acts were reportedly captured on video by the trainer.
Four witnesses, believed to be senior cadets, also claimed that Amir had been left unattended under the hot sun for about 30 minutes before being taken to the hospital by the trainer
"The trainer did not call an ambulance or take my son to the UiTM medical centre, which was much closer," stated Zaidi.
Additionally, the trainer even called the victim's parents to ask the cadet to attend class the next day.
"Around 9am on 11 November, the trainer called us to ask my son to attend class that morning. If not, he would be considered absent.
"Worried, we asked the trainer if the university had been informed about my son's condition, and he admitted that he had not [told them]," Zaidi said, adding that the trainer only informed the university after being reprimanded.
Zaidi also claimed that both his family and the university were not informed of Amir's condition until it was too late.
Amir's family and their lawyer have attributed his death to the trainer's negligence and harsh treatment, calling for a thorough investigation
Malaysiakini reported that Shah Alam district police chief Mohd Iqbal Ibrahim are investigating the case as a sudden death.
UiTM ROTU deputy commandant Ariff Md Ab Malik has also called for a thorough investigation by the Malaysian Armed Forces before any disciplinary action is taken against the trainer involved.
He said this includes the assessment of candidate fitness during recruitment, as well as if training management was following procedures.