Johor police chief Ab Rahaman Arsad said the two suspects, both 24 and from the same camp, were arrested at about 11.45pm on the day of the incident.

“We also seized a 72cm cane believed to have been used as a weapon,” he said in a statement tonight.

Ab Rahaman said checks found that the suspects have no prior criminal records and both tested negative for drugs.

The case is being investigated under Section 326 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing grievous hurt using a weapon.

He said the investigation papers were referred to the state prosecution director’s office yesterday for further instructions from the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

“At the same time, the public is advised not to make any speculation or comments that could interfere with the investigation process,” he said.

Ab Rahaman added that the 25-year-old victim is currently receiving treatment at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

Earlier, defence minister Khaled Nordin said appropriate action would be taken against those involved.

The victim, 25-year-old commando Abdul Hamid Talib, was allegedly beaten during training at the Sri Iskandar army camp in Mersing, leaving him severely injured.

Lawyers for Liberty adviser N Surendran, who is representing Hamid’s family, called for the case to be classified as attempted murder and for those responsible to be prosecuted.

He said the commando sustained severe injuries, with “part of his skull exposed” from a punishment allegedly meted out at the camp.

Hamid is now unable to speak and is dependent on breathing assistance.