'We send our children to learn, not die' - don suggests suspending UPNM
RK Anand
Published: Nov 11, 2024 11:26 AM
Academic Tajuddin Mohd Rasdi has suggested that Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) be suspended following the latest incident of a cadet being bullied which resulted in the victim suffering fractures to his ribs and spine.
“This should be the final straw,” the distraught professor of architecture told Malaysiakini.
“Parents send their children to universities to learn, not to die. We wish to see our children in graduation robes, not burial shrouds.
“If I were the minister, I would suspend the entire university and move the students, academics and staff to other public and private institutions of higher learning,” he added.
Tajuddin said he was “appalled and mortified” over the latest incident, which is the third case to make headlines.
“God knows how many more cases went unreported,” he added.
In 2017, navy cadet Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain died after suffering burns on 80 percent of his body when he was tortured with a steam iron.
Last month, it was reported that another cadet was bullied and burned with an iron, prompting Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to call for sterner action.
“As a father, academic and Malaysian, I feel anger, hurt and despair,” lamented Tajuddin.
No compromise on bullying
In the lecture halls, Tajuddin said he encourages students to look beyond racial, religious and cultural boundaries to expand their worldview.
“I urge them to open their eyes to have a more meaningful life and future,” he added, noting that the cases in UPNM indicate something is amiss in the institution.
Tajuddin, who has been teaching for close to four decades, said he has never compromised on bullying albeit in the physical or emotional form to the extent of expelling students.
“I have been lenient on certain infractions but never bullying,” he added.
Misguided ‘tough love’
Tajuddin questioned if the problems in UPNM stem from the belief, culture and perception of “toughness” in its students and administrators.
“But there is no excuse for our children dying, becoming disabled or being maimed.
“May God protect us from another Zulfarhan incident, which not only robbed one life but destroyed the lives of the perpetrators as well.
“Perpetrators who were perhaps goaded or encouraged by a questionable militaristic tradition of a warrior mindset. This is where we should draw the line,” he added.
Yesterday, Malaysiakini reported Kuala Lumpur police chief Rusdi Mohd Isa as stating that the latest incident occurred on Oct 21 where a third-year cadet had stomped on the 19-year-old victim.
Police only received a report on Nov 8.
Published: Nov 11, 2024 11:26 AM
Academic Tajuddin Mohd Rasdi has suggested that Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) be suspended following the latest incident of a cadet being bullied which resulted in the victim suffering fractures to his ribs and spine.
“This should be the final straw,” the distraught professor of architecture told Malaysiakini.
“Parents send their children to universities to learn, not to die. We wish to see our children in graduation robes, not burial shrouds.
“If I were the minister, I would suspend the entire university and move the students, academics and staff to other public and private institutions of higher learning,” he added.
Tajuddin said he was “appalled and mortified” over the latest incident, which is the third case to make headlines.
“God knows how many more cases went unreported,” he added.
In 2017, navy cadet Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain died after suffering burns on 80 percent of his body when he was tortured with a steam iron.
Last month, it was reported that another cadet was bullied and burned with an iron, prompting Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to call for sterner action.
“As a father, academic and Malaysian, I feel anger, hurt and despair,” lamented Tajuddin.
No compromise on bullying
In the lecture halls, Tajuddin said he encourages students to look beyond racial, religious and cultural boundaries to expand their worldview.
“I urge them to open their eyes to have a more meaningful life and future,” he added, noting that the cases in UPNM indicate something is amiss in the institution.
Tajuddin, who has been teaching for close to four decades, said he has never compromised on bullying albeit in the physical or emotional form to the extent of expelling students.
“I have been lenient on certain infractions but never bullying,” he added.
Misguided ‘tough love’
Tajuddin questioned if the problems in UPNM stem from the belief, culture and perception of “toughness” in its students and administrators.
“But there is no excuse for our children dying, becoming disabled or being maimed.
“May God protect us from another Zulfarhan incident, which not only robbed one life but destroyed the lives of the perpetrators as well.
“Perpetrators who were perhaps goaded or encouraged by a questionable militaristic tradition of a warrior mindset. This is where we should draw the line,” he added.
Yesterday, Malaysiakini reported Kuala Lumpur police chief Rusdi Mohd Isa as stating that the latest incident occurred on Oct 21 where a third-year cadet had stomped on the 19-year-old victim.
Police only received a report on Nov 8.
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