Rousing routine: In this file photo, PLKN trainees are seen performing the haka, a ceremonial Maori dance, at the Actyvate Fiesta in Puchong. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
PETALING JAYA: With 65 days to go until the National Service Training Programme (PLKN) 3.0 officially commences after a seven-year hiatus, parents say safety and security in the camps must be prioritised.
They called on the authorities to ensure safe training environments, gender segregation with protection and safeguards for girls, and strict food hygiene, stressing the need for reasonable training due to past incidents of harassment and fatalities.
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Parent Action Group for Education chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim has voiced concerns surrounding the forthcoming PLKN 3.0, particularly involving safety, youth development, and timing.
“There are ongoing worries regarding safety. The government needs to address and rectify challenges in the previous [versions of] PLKN 1.0 and PLKN 2.0.
“It’s important to overcome past issues to ensure a secure environment for all participants,” she said when contacted.
Noor Azimah also expressed scepticism about the benefits of PLKN 3.0 for youth development, especially in the absence of an impact study on the previous training programmes.
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“Despite having organised PLKN 1.0 and PLKN 2.0, a comprehensive impact study has not been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness,” she said.
Noor Azimah also raised concerns about the timing of the programme, suggesting that students should prioritise their education.
“We do not see the benefit of partaking in the programme early,” she said.
Melaka Action Group for Parents in Education chairman Mak Chee Kin said the government should address the concerns of parents regarding PLKN 3.0 by outlining specific measures or standard operating procedure (SOP) in case of emergencies.
“Some parents are worried, given previous incidents of bullying, sexual harassment, sickness and food hygiene problems at different training camps.“To allay these issues, it would be good if the government can inform us about the measures being taken,” he said.
Mak highlighted issues such as catering to dietary needs and preventing bullying as examples that required clear government action.While the new version of PLKN focuses on racial integration and instilling patriotism rather than building a reserve force, he said such efforts, if carried out through activities and sports, would make them more achievable.
Mak also expressed concerns that previous editions of PLKN faced numerous unresolved issues such as selecting the appropriate age group, whether participation should be voluntary or compulsory, and addressing food, safety and hygiene issues.
“The government must be very clear about the purpose,” he said, adding that there must be a well-defined strategy to ensure the programme’s success.
A mother of three sons from Ipoh, who only wants to be known as Madam Mok, said it is important for the camp authorities to have a set of guidelines or SOP that deal with every possible situation, based on previous experiences.
“We want to know what steps they will take, for example, when a trainee suddenly faints or is not feeling well during the duration of the training.
“What will they do and who will be accountable? Will there be CCTV installed in the training camps?
“These measures will be useful if there is any untoward incident,” said the 48-year-old single mother, who is still hesitant to let her youngest son join PLKN 3.0.
Borhan Faisal, 43, from Melaka, who has twin daughters, said safety and security are his top concerns.
“My girls are 16 and they might be selected. Can they go to the same camp?
“Are we allowed to enter and assess the situation inside the camp?
“I support national integration activities but I also have my reservations,” he said.
