Many Malaysians may not know of the existence of Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (the National Defence University of Malaysia) which came into existence more than a year ago.

This university was set up partly based on the concept of West Point in US. Its aim is to give high quality training to our future military leaders. The hope is that these students will graduate as highly-trained and ethical military officers consistent with the motto of the university ‘Duty, Honour and Integrity’.

They will be the commanders of our armed forces and the planners and guardians of our national security. With this aim, one would expect the university to be led by very good, ethical and professional leaders and the students be taught by the best in the country.

Sadly, as with many other government organisations, this is not happening. I have heard a lot of grouses among its staff, students, parents of students as well as personnel from both the ministry of defence and the higher education ministry.

The main complaint seems to be directed at the present leadership of the university. One would expect that with such a university, its top staff should be chosen from generals or admirals from the fighting branch and be well-versed with the subject of military training.

Unfortunately, the present leadership comprises neither an academic nor a military trainer.

Numerous complaints have been received from the military top brass of the poor standard of military training for the military students. None of these complaints were taken seriously, let alone looked into.

The university does not have good working relations with the chiefs of the army, navy and the air force, who are the main clients of the university as the university is supposed to train potential officers for these three branches of the armed forces.

The standard of students' accommodation, food and other facilities, is to say the least, appalling. Most of the problems related to the students were normally solved by the military. Many decisions made and recommended by the various committees have instead been overturned by the university.

Some university appointments were made unsatisfactorily while there have also been some alleged cases of abuse of power that may have taken place. Some form of official investigation should be carried out to get to the bottom of things.

The Defence University is at the moment placed under the jurisdiction of the higher education ministry. I believe this is a mistake as the ministry will most probably allow the university to run like any other university.

The Defence University is not ‘any other university’ as its role is different. Therefore, it is better if it is put under the jurisdiction of the defence ministry. As the security of the country is at stake, the Defence University cannot be anything, but the best in the country.

If the Defence University fails, Malaysians will definitely lose their confidence in the country as the military - the guardian of the security of the country - cannot even function properly.

I, therefore, strongly urge the relevant authority to look into the present affairs of the Defence University, including carrying out some form of official investigation if necessary to get to the bottom of things.