Sunday September 16, 2012

Malaysia Day celebration now compulsory for NS trainees

SIBU: Starting this year it is compulsory for National Service trainees to celebrate Malaysia Day.

National Service Training Department director-general Datuk Abdul Hadi Awang Kechil disclosed this to reporters at Junaco Camp yesterday. Hadi was with 360 trainees at the camp celebrating the National Day, Malaysia Day and Ramah Tamah Aidilfitri.

A total of 15,000 trainees nationwide have become the first group to celebrate Malaysia Day this year.

“The celebration of Malaysia Day is aimed at building patriotism and unity among the trainees, trainers and staff in all the 81 camps throughout the country,” he said.

Hadi said the programme was important to the department who had a special role to play in moulding youths to be confident and patriotic, which is also in line with Rukun Tetangga (Neighbourhood Watch) concept. Besides this, the celebration is also important as remembrance of how Malaysia was formed in 1963 by Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak. Singapore, however, left the federation in 1965.

He said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had also instructed that other celebrations such as Hari Raya Aidilfitri and National Day be celebrated starting this year at all the camps. By next year, the multi-racial trainees will also celebrate Chinese New Year together in their respective camps.

“By celebrating National Day, the trainees will learn to appreciate how leaders of yesteryear fought hard for the country’s independence. They will also learn to appreciate each other’s cultures by celebrating the festivals of other races,” he said.

He then disclosed that the department wanted all the 81 camps to obtain the IS0 certification next year. Currently only 30 camps have such certification.

He also said the department would launch the National Service Territorial Army Company Organisation for all its trainers.

“This programme will be launched this November. The trainers will be responsible for encouraging the trainees to join the territorial army,” he said.

An objective of the programme is to increase the competency and self-confidence of all members so that they would have better spirit of volunteerism, and also to enhance the discipline of the trainers.

News

Sunday September 16, 2012

Malaysia Day celebration now compulsory for NS trainees