Child assault case: Don't paint all soldiers with same brush, says Khaled

LUMUT: The assault of a child by a soldier should not be used to portray all members of the armed forces in a negative light.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said such incidents were not confined to military personnel and could also occur among members of the public.

"Assaulting a child is not something that only happens among military personnel. Ordinary people also commit such acts.

"So, we should not exaggerate the matter as though all military personnel are like that," he told reporters after opening the 93rd Armed Forces Day celebrations at the Royal Malaysian Navy Base here today.

Khaled said the armed forces would continue to pay attention to such cases and provide the necessary guidance and advice to its personnel.

He said the incident should not be used as a basis for making general accusations against members of the armed forces.

"We have to be careful and work together to ensure that this incident is not used as a basis to accuse all military personnel of behaving in such a manner.

"Other people face similar problems too. Perhaps the individual has his own personal issues," he said.

Khaled said the armed forces would continue to provide guidance, counselling and advice where necessary.

"We regard this as something that needs our attention. We will provide guidance, counselling, advice and other forms of support, as we normally do," he said.

It was reported on Thursday that a 40-year-old soldier was charged at the Kota Baru Sessions Court with abusing his five-year-old daughter by kicking her at an eatery.

Police had earlier tracked down a man and a young girl believed to be his daughter to assist in investigations following a viral video showing the man acting aggressively towards the child and kicking her at an eatery.

The man was later arrested after surrendering at the Pengkalan Chepa police station last Sunday.