KUALA LUMPUR, April 3 -- A brutal assault by an army corporal that left a 24-year-old soldier with brain damage has drawn a vow of firm action from Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

The victim, 24-year-old Muhammad Amirul Raziq, remains in critical condition after the alleged assault of seven recruits at a Royal Malay Regiment camp.

"Action will be taken once the investigation is completed. We do not condone this (violence)," Khaled told the New Straits Times, assuring that his ministry would give its full cooperation to the police probe.

Preliminary investigations suggest the assault, which involved slapping and punching the victims in the face and abdomen, stemmed from the corporal's dissatisfaction over weapon store...