In a statement, the army confirmed receiving a report on the March 24 incident involving Private Muqriz Aseri from the 20th Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment.

It said initial investigations found evidence of manhandling in the incident.

“As a result, the army has handed the case over to the police for further investigation and has also established an internal inquiry to probe the incident,” it said.

Its chief Hafizuddeain Jantan was quoted as saying that the army would not compromise on disciplinary action against any personnel found responsible.

He said based on preliminary findings from a post-mortem conducted yesterday at Miri Hospital, the cause of death was identified as blunt chest trauma, resulting from a severe impact to the chest that caused heart damage

Earlier, Berita Harian quoted a source as saying that the victim was awoken by two senior personnel around 2.15am on Monday for the pre-dawn meal.

However, before he began eating, the seniors allegedly ordered him to assume a “commando rest” position for two minutes by balancing his head on the floor with his hands behind his back. This was followed by 20 push-ups.

After completing the exercise, the visibly sweating soldier stood up but immediately collapsed. The incident was reported to a corporal, who is also the head of the quarters.

The corporal rushed the soldier to Miri Hospital, but the latter was pronounced dead at 3.05am.

Sarawak police commissioner Mancha Ata earlier confirmed the incident but provided no further details, including whether suspects had been detained for investigation.