Khaled Nordin says Hobart Camp blast investigation report will be submitted by mid‑month

KOTA TINGGI, July 5 — The investigation report into the grenade explosion that claimed the lives of two military personnel during a training exercise at Hobart Camp in Gurun last month is expected to be submitted to the Ministry of Defence by the middle of this month.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the report was being finalised before being submitted to the ministry for further action.

“I have been informed that the report will be submitted by the middle of this month. Insya-Allah, I will update you on it,” he told reporters after attending the ‘Ilmu dan Muafakat’ (PIKAT) programme at Felda Air Tawar 2 here today.

He said the Malaysian Army had also been directed to review its training approach, including taking into account the second incident that occurred at the same camp.

“We need to determine whether there were any other shortcomings or weaknesses. We will only make a decision after receiving the findings of the investigations,” he said.

In the incident at about 10.57am on June 16, the two personnel involved — Corporal Norazmi Abu Bakar of the Sixth Battalion, Royal Malay Regiment (RAMD), and Private Siti Khadijah Sungip of the First Squadron, Royal Engineers Regiment (RAJD) — sustained severe injuries in the explosion during the training exercise.

Both personnel were rushed to Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital in Sungai Petani for further treatment, but were pronounced dead while being transported to the hospital.

Two weeks later, on June 29, another incident occurred at the same camp when a firearm discharged during a combat enhancement training (LPT) exercise, injuring two military personnel.

Sergeant Mohamad Firdaus Che Shaharudin and Corporal Felix Franchis of the Fourth Battalion, Royal Ranger Regiment (4 RRD), suffered leg injuries after being struck by shrapnel in the 6.15 pm incident. — Bernama