PETALING JAYA: With 1,000 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) leavers slated to take part in the first phase of the National Service Training Programme (PLKN 3.0) next January, stakeholders are expecting some changes in the revived programme.
But some aspects should be maintained. Datuk Abdul Hadi Awang Kechil, who formerly headed the National Service Training Department, said he hopes medical screening of trainees will continue to be carried out as in the previous iteration.
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This, he said, would determine whether participants are fit.
“The safety aspect should not be neglected.”
Abdul Hadi added that there is a need for experts to be involved and suggested bringing in former trainers.
He also said the National Service Training Act 2003 should be in effect as it was drafted after consulting stakeholders and experts.“Holding the training at military camps will be cost-effective compared with private camps.
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“However, it is important to ensure that trainees are not treated the same way as army recruits,” he added.
Abdul Hadi suggested that PLKN 3.0 updates be presented to Parliament from time to time.
Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, the former National Service Training Council chairman, said it is important to ensure that there are proper medical teams in place to prevent any untoward incident.
“We must learn from past weaknesses and shortcomings.”
“I believe what is important is discipline, strong management and good leadership, and how the trainees are selected,” he said.
Lee said in the last round, trainees were picked through a balloting system,
“We had a situation whereby those who were picked were not interested but those who were interested were not selected.
“These are some issues that PLKN 3.0 must look into,” he said, adding that trainees should be allowed to volunteer for the programme.
Lee also said the camps must be well-managed and that there must be strong discipline among trainees, trainers, and camp commanders, with a code of conduct put in place.
Yesterday, Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari said only SPM leavers will be involved in the first phase of PLKN 3.0, which will start next January.
He said there was a misunderstanding regarding the age limit for participants.
Participants who cannot attend due to various reasons can defer the training until the age of 35, Adly said.
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