M'sia uni student, 25, dies after allegedly being ridden like a horse & stepped on during voluntary military training

A 25-year-old student at a Malaysia university died after undergoing voluntary military training, where he was allegedly abused.

His father claimed his son, Muhammad Amir Rusyaidi Muhammad Zaidi, who died on Nov. 13, was ridden like a horse with his trainer on his back and had his chest stepped on.

Investigations by the police so far showed the deceased did not display external injuries, and that he had died of “heat stroke with multi-organ failure”.

Amir had participated in the Reserve Officer Training Unit (ROTU) activities at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UITM) in Shah Alam.

He was training to become a volunteer reserve officer in the armed forces.

Amir had died after enduring an unscheduled training session that allegedly involved physical abuse, Malaysiakini reported.

The father also alleged that his son was left unconscious in the middle of the field under the sun for about 30 minutes by the trainer, according to Bernama.

Fell unconscious 3 days before passing

The father said he was informed that his son fell unconscious during a marching exercise and was sent to Shah Alam Hospital on Nov. 10.

His son was then transferred to the Intensive Care Unit and died three days later.

Police statement

Amir was asked to do push-ups as punishment for falling behind in a running session, and was seen jumping around before going unconscious prior to his death, Selangor police said on Nov. 27 evening.

The authorities have classified the incident as a sudden death.

Amir joined ROTU at the end of October 2024 and was undergoing a fitness test before basic training begins in 2025.

Statements from nine witnesses, including the victim’s father, have been recorded by the police.

UITM in a statement on Wednesday assured that the case will be investigated and the procedures for co-curricular activities will be reviewed.

Previous case

Five cadet officers from military university Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) were expelled for being involved in three recent bullying cases.

They were also terminated from the Malaysian Armed Forces, Defence Minister Khaled Nordin said in a statement on Wednesday.

One of the cadet officers expelled is a 22-year-old, who is accused of pressing a heated steam iron on the chest of his 20-year-old junior, who was asked to iron his senior's clothes.

The alleged culprit was charged on Nov. 8 and has pleaded not guilty.

Proceedings are ongoing, but he was ordered to pay a compensation of US$10,000 (S$13,445).

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