Ways to attract youth to join the military

THE number of non-bumiputra personnel in the Malaysian Armed Forces remains low, at around 3%, despite efforts to encourage the group’s participation, according to Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

He said at an event on Sept 23 that the support and encouragement from parents and non-governmental organisations play a crucial role in attracting more non-bumiputras to pursue careers in the military.

But what do Malaysian youths think about a military career? Three participants of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) team share their viewpoints.

To join Star-NiE’s online youth community, go to facebook.com/niebrats.

I would consider a career in the military as a dentist as I’m pursuing dentistry. Doctors and dentists are extremely important in the military to maintain the health of our unsung heroes. Programmes like the National Service Training Programme (PLKN) should be reintroduced but this time, instead of making it compulsory for all students, it should be a voluntary programme. Students who are interested in pursuing a military career or experiencing the military life can apply to join. This is a much better approach than imposing it on students. – Nieha Mitrallini, 20

I do feel that every country should have a large pool of soldiers available when necessary. Introducing incentives like state-of-the-art training facilities, education bursaries, and refurbished dormitories and campuses, could be appealing to the youth. After undergoing a positive experience as cadets, they might be more inclined to pursue roles in the military. – Farhan Rais, 20

I believe in pursuing a career aligned with one’s passions. The military is the nation’s first line of defence. I know my physical limitations best. Being in the military requires everyone to coordinate collectively as a single unit, and my physical limitations could potentially hinder the team’s performance. To attract Malaysian youths from diverse backgrounds, raising awareness about the military in schools is crucial. Ensuring equal incentives regardless of gender or race would be a key step to ensuring fairness and inclusivity. This could encourage more young individuals to consider a military career. – Wong Hoi Kei, 21