Photo: Bernama
PLKN 3.0 trial findings will be made public, assures Defence Minister
PETALING JAYA: The assessment of the pilot batch of the National Service Training Programme (PLKN) 3.0 will be done with precision and the findings to be made public, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin has pledged.
Giving his assurance before the pioneer PLKN 3.0 batch of 142 trainees register today at Kem 515 Wataniah in Kuala Lumpur, he urged the group to embark on their journey “with determination and an open heart”.
“To the first batch, please remember that the government is committed to providing an enriching experience to equip you with the skills, values and resilience needed to contribute positively to our nation.“Remember that every challenge is an opportunity for growth. We will spare no effort to ensure your safety and success,” he said when contacted.
The first batch, comprising 98 males and 44 females aged between 18 and 25, volunteered for a 45-day PLKN 3.0 stint.
Their training modules will be made up of 70% military and 30% civics modules.
Mohamed Khaled said the PLKN committee will thoroughly study the programme curriculum, safety protocols, participants’ well-being and effectiveness of the modules.
“We want to ensure that the programme not only instils patriotism and discipline but also creates unity and an appreciation of Malaysia’s diverse cultures.
“We believe our diversity is an asset and our youth must be guided to see and embrace this inherent strength.
“PLKN 3.0 will also expose participants to the various national aims and aspirations, basic understanding of national defence and importance of contributing to society.
“As with any large-scale initiative, there may be initial challenges as we implement PLKN 3.0, but we are prepared to address these promptly and effectively.”
Upon completion of training, the minister said he intended to make public the findings to ensure transparency and accountability.“Feedback will be actively sought from participants, trainers and stakeholders.
“Continuous improvements will be carried out by dedicated teams,” he said.
Mohamed Khaled said the assessment will lead to improvements where needed before PLKN 3.0 goes full-fledged with four intakes annually.
He said unlike the previous editions, which operated exclusively in private PLKN camps, this third version will utilise a diverse range of government-based facilities such as 13 army territorial camps, 20 public universities, 27 teacher training institutes, and various polytechnics.
The minister said the target was to train more than 194,344 participants, with 25,000 trainees distributed across 13 army territorial camps over the four-intake series.“We anticipate the next PLKN batch to begin training in the middle of the year. This schedule allows us to gather feedback and make necessary adjustments from the initial implementation.”
PLKN 3.0 will be managed by the National Service Programme Department and various other government agencies, unlike previous ones that were handled solely by the department.
For basic training and specialised training phases, eligible national trainees must be 18 years of age and registered in the national database with a Malaysian identification card for both locally born and overseas-born Malaysian citizens.
The selected national trainees will be informed through official mail sent to their registered address. They can also check on the website or inquire through SMS.
The PLKN training scheme was first introduced in 2004, involving a random selection of youths aged 18 and above for a compulsory three-month programme.
It was halted in 2015 and reintroduced the following year with participation made optional by 2019. However, it was scrapped altogether in August 2018.
In 2021, the then government decided to set up a special committee to study the possibility of reviving the programme, which led to its present format.
