02-08-2025
Mindef: Only healthy recruits allowed in military training
SUNGAI SIPUT: The Defence Ministry always ensures that only those who meet the necessary health requirements can join military and paramilitary training programmes.
Its deputy minister, Adly Zahari, said that in addition to health records submitted before training begins, health assessments are also conducted during training to determine the true health condition of trainees.
He said failure to meet specific health requirements may result in a trainee being sent home due to the physically demanding nature of military training.
"In all our training programmes, including the National Service Training Programme (PLKN), health is a key aspect.
"We don't just rely on participants' health reports; we also carry out our own screenings.
"Sometimes we're concerned that health conditions may be hidden, and this has serious implications.
"As we know, military training is physically demanding, so health becomes a critical factor.
"For example, in PLKN, if a trainee fails to meet health requirements, we will send them home because we do not want those with health issues to participate," he told reporters after attending the "Veteran Desa Madani" programme at the Orang Asli One-Stop Centre in Bawong today.
Adly was responding to the death of Syamsul Haris Shamsudin, a 22-year-old trainee from the Reserve Officers Training Unit (Palapes) at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Skudai.
He died during a training session at the Combat Inoculation Firing Range, Land Training Centre (PULADA) in Pasir Gudang, Johor, last Monday.
Yesterday, the victim's mother, Ummu Haiman Bee Daulatgun, 45, claimed initial information from Palapes stated her son had suffered a seizure during training.
However, upon examining his body, she noticed suspicious signs and alleged that he might have been beaten.
Adly said the investigation would cover all aspects to ensure fair justice for all parties involved—the family, the university, and Palapes administrators.
He also gave assurance that the ministry would fully cooperate with the ongoing police investigation.
"When there is a death or injury and a police report is made, the ministry will fully cooperate.
"At the same time, we will conduct our own internal investigation to identify areas that need improvement," he said.
He stressed that strictness in military training does not mean the ministry condones any form of bullying. If found guilty, perpetrators will face not only internal disciplinary action but also legal consequences.
"If there are elements of bullying, injuries, or any criminal offence, we will refer them to the authorities.
"We want to remind everyone that those who commit offences will face disciplinary action and legal proceedings.
"So, in the case of UTM Palapes, we are conducting an internal investigation, and the police are carrying out a comprehensive probe to prevent any false perceptions," he added.
