Malaysian authorities are investigating the death of a cadet who fell into a coma after a gruelling training session during which he was allegedly ridden like a horse by an instructor, the latest in a series of abuse accusations linked to military training at colleges.
Muhammad Amir Rusyaidi Muhammad Zaidi, 25, a Reserve Officer Training Unit (ROTU) cadet at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), collapsed on November 13 and died later in hospital, according to local media.
The Malaysian Armed Forces on Wednesday confirmed an investigation was under way but did not elaborate on details.
“No party involved will be protected or spared if found guilty. Legal action will be taken against those responsible,” the armed forces vowed, adding the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s provost marshal was leading the probe.
The victim fell into a coma after being left in the sun for 30 minutes before being transported to the hospital, his father, Muhammad Zaidi Abdul Rahman, told local news portal Malaysiakini.
“The trainer did not call an ambulance or take my son to the UiTM medical centre, which was much closer,” Zaidi said.
ROTU is a military programme that trains undergraduate students to be reserve officers for the Malaysian Armed Forces.
