Army vows no compromise on bullying

The Malaysian army will not compromise on bullying activities among its soldiers, says its chief Zamrose Mohd Zain.

He said a comprehensive investigation will be implemented, and stern action taken against individuals found guilty of perpetuating the act, including immediate termination from the services.

“To the soldiers, let me declare here, if you are caught maltreating and bullying other personnel, if investigated and found guilty, you will be sacked immediately.

“That is my stand, no need for the Military Court process; we will (straightaway) punish, the form of punishment cannot be referred to the Military Court. After that (you) will be terminated.

“Try it if you are in doubt, indeed I will do it,” he told reporters after visiting the PTD (Army Chiefs) Gallery at the Army Museum in Port Dickson yesterday.

He said this when asked to comment on a screenshot of a message by Twitter user @pedogpop, which went viral when the writer claimed that his younger brother, who is a soldier living in the barracks at an army camp, was hit and bullied by a group of seniors.

On Dec 2, Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein was reported to have urged the individual making the claim to come forward to furnish information so that a comprehensive investigation could be conducted on the matter, with the identity of the whistleblower to be kept confidential.

“On the case, I received the message stating that his younger brother was bullied, but I will only act once I get the details because he did not clarify where his brother is from, which unit, navy, army or air force, how to investigate? I understand that the case has been taken over by the defence ministry,” he said.