KUALA LUMPUR, June 3 — The Higher Education Ministry is very concerned and views seriously, the circumstances leading to the death of Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) student, cadet officer Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain. 

The 21-year-old undergraduate who passed away at Serdang Hospital on Thursday is believed to have been physically abused.

The ministry and UPNM will cooperate with the Malaysian Armed Forces and Royal Malaysian Police in the investigation.

In a statement, the ministry also said UPNM rendered compassionate aid and logistic assistance in the funeral for Zulfarhan Osman whose remains were escorted by other UPNM students to Kampung Kurnia cemetrey in Jalan Kebun Teh, Johor Baru last night.

"The ministry expresses its deepest condolences to his family and may they have strength to face their bereavement in this holy month,” it said.

Police are investigating Zulfarhan Osman’s death as a murder case, following which, 36 students of UPNM and Universiti Tenaga Nasional have been remanded for seven days from yesterday. —Bernama