Berita Harian reported that the suspects, aged 22 and 24 and attached to the 20th Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment, were arrested at Kem Sri Miri at 4.30pm yesterday.

“The police are investigating the case for murder under Section 302 of the Penal Code,” said Miri police chief Alexson Naga Chabu.

Alexson urged the public not to speculate on the incident.

Earlier, Berita Harian quoted a source as saying that the victim was awoken by two senior personnel at 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.

The soldier collapsed after completing the exercise and was rushed to Miri Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 3.05am.

Preliminary findings from the post-mortem identified the cause of death as blunt chest trauma resulting from severe impact to the chest that caused heart damage.

Army chief Hafizuddeain Jantan said earlier that the army had launched an internal investigation into the death and would not hesitate to take disciplinary action against any personnel found responsible.