PUTRAJAYA: Higher Education Ministry today clarified that the 13 National Defence University of Malaysia (UPNM) students who were allowed to resume their studies were the ones released on court bond.
Its Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh said the students, who were detained to assist the probe into the murder of naval cadet Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain, will be given counselling and psycho-social support.
"I would like to clarify on news report regarding the status of the UPNM students who were charged with causing hurt to their university colleague, Zulfarhan Osman.
"There are two groups involved here. First, the 13 students who were charged under the Penal Code. They were released on bail until the re-mention of the case. These students were suspended from their studies and UPNM is in the midst of processing this according to the stipulated procedures.
"Secondly, the other 13 UPNM students who were released on court bond. These are the ones who are allowed to resume their studies as decided by the university," Idris said in a statement, today.
He said the Ministry viewed this issue seriously and will give its cooperation to the authorities.
Zulfarhan, 21, died at the Serdang Hospital on June 1 after he was allegedly abused over a laptop theft on May 22.
Police have arrested 32 UPNM students and four Universiti Tenaga Nasional students to facilitate investigation into the murder case.
On June 14, several of those students were charged with murder and abetment.