SHAH ALAM, Dec 3 — Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) is prepared to give its full cooperation following the Attorney-General’s Chambers’ (AGC) decision to reclassify the death of Reserve Officers' Training Unit (Palapes) cadet Syamsul Haris Shamsuddin under Section 302 of the Penal Code (Act 574).
UTM stressed that it will not protect any individual found to be involved in the incident and will extend complete cooperation to the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) to ensure the investigation can be completed.
“UTM remains committed to the principles of transparency and the rule of law and leaves the investigation entirely to the authorities to ensure justice is served,” the university said in a statement.
The university also extended its condolences to the family of the deceased and urged all parties, including campus members and the public, not to make any speculation that could disrupt the investigation process.
Yesterday, the AGC ordered Syamsul Haris’ death reclassified as murder under Section 302 of the Penal Code (Act 574).
The decision was made based on the investigation report opened by PDRM.
According to records, Syamsul Haris, 22, died at Kota Tinggi Hospital on July 28 after undergoing training at the army’s Combat Training Centre in Ulu Tiram. He was buried the following day at the Islamic Cemetery in Kampung Rinching Ulu, Semenyih, Selangor.
On August 30, a second post-mortem on the deceased was conducted at Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL), and the body was reburied at the same cemetery on the same day.
The case also drew the attention of Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari, who expressed hope that the investigation would be conducted transparently and free from any questionable elements.
He also stressed that the state government views the incident seriously and wants the investigation carried out fairly to ensure justice for all parties.
“Any form of bullying, physical or non-physical, must be taken seriously by everyone.
“In this case, there are indications of possible physical contact, something completely unacceptable and must never be allowed to happen again,” he said after visiting Syamsul Haris’ family in Taman Pelangi Semenyih on August 15.
