Revival of NS programme supported but changes to module called for
PETALING JAYA: While youths are in support of the return of the National Service Training Programme (PLKN), they also want some changes made and their safety prioritised.
Wong Eu Kenn, 16, said that while he supports the initiative, counsellors should be on hand to ensure trainees feel comfortable during the programme.
“The programme duration has been proposed for 45 days rather than three months, which I believe is a good decision, but I think there is more to be done,” he said.
He also said that the programme has what it takes for recruits to gain skills such as war strategy, physical training, weapons handling, hand-to-hand combat, and simulated missions, which will help them to think critically and strategically.
On Monday, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the programme will be revived and will see youths undergo basic army training for 45 days.
“This time round, we plan to do it in the army camps under the second phase as there are many Territorial Army (Wataniah) camps ideal for the programme,” he said in reply to Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh (PH-Ledang) in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday.
Unlike the previous PLKN, which was more like a “summer camp”, Mohamad said the revived programme will be geared more towards providing youths with army training.
Under the proposal, he said this training would be in the second phase of the programme and involve those who have completed their SPM examination.
He said there are currently 13 Territorial Army camps nationwide, which can provide training to some 20,000 youths annually.
Student Alya Mohd Haidafitri, 17, said she had several doubts about how the authorities were going to ensure the health and safety of the prospective recruits.
“Youngsters these days face serious issues with mental health, and if made worse, this may escalate to panic attacks or something more detrimental,” she said.
Dhani Shahputra Indera Bakti, 15, said if the programme is “done right”, the future generation will be fully equipped with army training, simultaneously boosting their patriotism and national identity.
However, he said the teaching material and methods need to be reevaluated to cater to the needs of the young generation in order for them to be interested in the programme.
Another student, 16-year-old Shavinna Kaundan, said the programme should be voluntary so that it does not affect school-leavers’ further study plans.
Meanwhile, Universiti Sains Malaysia Army, Navy and Air Force Programme chairman Major Assoc Prof Dr Mohd Hazizan Mohd Hashim said trainees need to pass a full medical checkup by medical practitioners before they begin their army training.
He also said that the standard operating procedures (SOPs) of the previous national service programmes need to be reviewed.
“All participants must also be given full training or proper induction, as accidents or injuries may happen due to a lack of this,” he added.
Major Mohd Hazizan, who is also part of the Askar Wataniah Regiment, said the facilities at the Wataniah camps will need to be improved or upgraded before these trainees are brought in.
A service-learning advocate from Sunway College, Anita Paul, said safety from every angle, including people feeling safe and secure in all sense of the word, must be ensured.
“So this means doing awareness sessions on what constitutes bullying and sexual harassment,” she said, adding that service-learning should be included as there are a lot of mutually beneficial outcomes from immersing in service to the community.
PLKN was introduced in 2004 involving the random selection of youths aged 18 for a compulsory three-month programme.
It was halted in 2015 and reintroduced the following year with participation to be made optional by 2019.
