The mother of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) cadet Syamsul Haris Shamsudin has expressed frustration that his peers have remained silent about the circumstances surrounding his death.
Ummul Haiman Bee Daulatgun, 45, said she had approached other Reserve Officer Training Unit (Palapes) cadets who took part in the university’s camping activity with her son, but they all gave the same reply and pleaded ignorance.
“All of them said ‘I don’t know, I didn’t see’ when asked about the incident,” she told a press conference today.
Syamsul, 22, the eldest of three siblings, died on July 28 under unclear circumstances while undergoing Palapes training at the Army Combat Training Centre (Pulada) in Ulu Tiram, Johor.
He began training on July 26 and was expected to complete it on Aug 3.
The family had called for a transparent and fair investigation, including a second autopsy.
This followed allegations by the mother that Syamsul’s body showed bruises and injuries consistent with physical assault rather than a seizure.
Ummul also voiced frustration that the joint investigative committee formed on Aug 2 has yet to provide any updates.
She reiterated her request for her lawyer, Naran Singh, to be included in the committee.
Higher education minister Zambry Abdul Kadir yesterday said the committee is expected to complete its report soon.
Regarding her son’s relationship with peers, Ummul revealed that Syamsul had complained about being provoked by a student.
Review of training SOPs for Palapes cadets
Meanwhile, army chief General Hafizuddeain Jantan said they are reviewing standard operating procedures for training, including those for Palapes cadets.
He said this included improving the health screening process, which needed to be more thorough before training begins.
“This is because it is a high-risk training, including the use of live ammunition, which aims to test and enhance the resilience, confidence and courage of the personnel and officers.
“Palapes training is conducted for 112 participants per session. Over 20 officers and trainers are assigned to supervise the exercise,” he said after witnessing the 2025 Live Fire Exercise at the shooting range in Syed Sirajuddin Camp, Gemas, today.
Hafizuddeain said the findings of the investigation into the trainee’s death would be finalised today.
“The incident that befell him is deeply regretted. Although he was a cadet officer, he was (still) one of us.”
He said the training Syamsul participated in complied with established SOPs.
