Army chief Hafizuddeain Jantan said the offenders included individuals holding senior ranks, including majors.

He said the dismissals reflected the army’s firm stance against misconduct within its ranks.

“I have always emphasised that bullying and abuse are acts of betrayal against the armed forces, and we will not compromise under any circumstances,” Berita Harian quoted him as saying.

“These actions are not a tradition in the army, but sometimes, isolated cases occur involving individuals abusing their subordinates.”

His remarks come in the wake of an ongoing investigation into the death of a soldier, allegedly abused by two senior personnel at a military camp in Miri, Sarawak.

The army earlier confirmed that there were elements of “manhandling” involved in the case.

Two privates, aged 22 and 24, with the 20th Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment, were arrested and remanded until April 2 to facilitate the investigation.

Hafizuddeain said the army remains committed to stamping out bullying, and routinely reminds its officers and personnel of their duty to uphold integrity and respect.