Malaysia army corporal arrested after alleged assault on 7 soldiers, 1 in ICU
Investigations by the Malaysian Armed Forces found that the corporal had used physical force after being dissatisfied with the way the victims cleaned the weapons store.
A person in handcuffs. (File photo: iStock)
PAHANG: A military personnel holding the rank of a corporal in the Malaysian Army was arrested on Tuesday (Mar 31) after allegedly assaulting seven junior soldiers at the Royal Malay Regiment camp in Bentong, leaving a 24-year-old victim unconscious and in critical condition.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the 37-year-old corporal allegedly punched, struck, and kicked the victims on several parts of their bodies, said Bentong district police chief Superintendent Zaiham Mohd Kahar.
Further investigations by the Malaysian Armed Forces found that the corporal had used physical force after being dissatisfied with the way the victims cleaned the weapons store.
“One of the victims, aged 24, was reported to have lost consciousness and is still receiving treatment at the intensive care unit (ICU) of Hospital Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah, Temerloh,” Zaiham said in a statement on Wednesday night.
“The victim remains unconscious and requires respiratory assistance.”
The remaining six victims, aged between 19 and 22, have been sent to Hospital Bentong for examination and are in stable condition, reported local news outlet Free Malaysia Today (FMT).
The Malaysian Armed Forces has since launched an internal probe into the case, adding that firm action would be taken against parties involved and it would not tolerate any misconduct that violates existing laws and regulations.
“We take the matter seriously, and an inquiry has been convened to determine the cause of the incident,” it said in a statement, as reported by FMT on Thursday.
The suspect was arrested after the father of one of the victims lodged a police report on Tuesday morning, said Zaiham.
The suspect has been remanded for four days until Apr 4. Zaiham urged the public not to speculate on the case as it could interfere with ongoing investigations.
The case is being investigated under Section 325 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing grievous hurt.
If convicted, the suspect may face a jail term up to seven years and shall also be liable to a fine.
Between 2019 and 2024, a total of 31 Malaysian Army personnel were dismissed for bullying and abusing junior members. Then-Army Chief Hafizuddeain Jantan said the offenders included individuals holding senior ranks, including majors.
