The recent tragic death of navy cadet officer Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain has shocked Malaysians nationwide and shed light on what some people classify as unhealthy ragging activities that take place in tertiary education.
Following the case, police have arrested 32 Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) students and four Universiti Tenaga Nasional students to assist with investigations into the case which has been classified as murder.
Source: NST
According to NST, 13 of the students were allowed to resume their studies in UPNM. Following this shocking decision Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh further explains that there are actually two groups of students involved in the investigation.
He said, “There are two groups involved here. First, the 13 students who were charged under the Penal Code. They were released on bail until the re-mention of the case. These students were suspended from their studies and UPNM is in the midst of processing this according to the stipulated procedures. Secondly, the other 13 UPNM students who were released on court bond. These are the ones who are allowed to resume their studies as decided by the university.”
Source: The Star
He added, “The 13 students who were released are still UPNM students and they should be treated as such. All of them will be given counselling to overcome their emotional disorders and trauma if any,” The Star reports.
In addition, UPNM is agreeable with the decision and will be giving the students the opportunity to continue with their studies until the court reaches a decision on any charges against them.
Six students have been implicated in the death of Zulfarhan on June 1, where five of them have been charged with the murder of the cadet while one was charged with abetting the murder. If convicted of murder, they face the mandatory death penalty.
Source: NST
Meanwhile, some old videos of ragging/training activities in a location which allegedly took place in UPNM has surfaced in social media, which depicts some cadets being treated roughly by others. It has produced mixed reactions among netizens, with some saying that it is normal for an army school while others slammed the actions.
Watch the videos here:
Source: Facebook
Source: Facebook
Also read: Teenager from Penang Beaten and Sodomised for Being ‘Effeminate’ Now Brain-dead
