In unison: Trainees marching during the closing ceremony to mark the end of their stint in Bukit Mertajam. – Filepic
THE proposed National Service Training Programme (PLKN) 3.0, must benefit youths.
And the plan to revive the programme should be better thought through, say pioneers from the 2004 cohort.
Describing the PLKN concept as “noble”, Ng Yee Guan, 37, said the aim was to foster national unity, harmony, and an understanding of different backgrounds and cultures.
Although some were mundane, camp activities led by adept trainers were engaging and insightful, he shared.
“The activities were geared towards building patriotism, motivation, and a forward-looking attitude.
“The marching, drills and physical training enhanced our physical ability. We also had many opportunities to pick up new skills.
“It brought us closer to nature and allowed us to develop our agility, strength and discipline,” he said, adding that the activities were led by both the army and civilians.
Ng, who was a head trainee in the pioneer batch, added that the activities also fostered teamwork and good communication skills.
While acknowledging that the PLKN had its share of challenges, such as poorly maintained and damaged facilities, he said the initiative taught participants diplomacy and tolerance as they had to live with their peers from different parts of Malaysia.
Ng, who is now an academic, said the proposed 45-day period for the PLKN 3.0 is too short.
“It should be longer. If the period is too short, the programme will not achieve its objective,” he said, adding that his batch spent over three months at camp.
One month was spent at a camp base for outdoor activities and the other two months were at a university hostel for the community service portion of the programme.
While future trainees may find the proposed 45-day army training interesting and useful, such an activity is unnecessary, said former PLKN trainee Pauline Chow, 37.
“Cadets in school are already training and marching like the army. As for learning to use a gun and a rifle, we can do that at a shooting range.
“There are more pressing matters that taxpayers’ money can be used for,” she said.
Chow, who had volunteered to join the programme in 2004, said instead of bringing back the programme, the allocation would be better spent on building basic amenities in rural areas so that talents do not fall through the cracks.
“During my time at camp, there were trainees from rural parts of Malaysia who could not even read.
“We could spend the funds making education more accessible instead of reviving the camp,” she said.
Ex-camp director Michael Yei, 68, said instead of army training, it would be better to teach skills like first aid, high angle rescue, fire rescue, and swimming.
“It would be more beneficial to teach these skills for 45 days because the trainees can then go on to form paramedic or rescue teams in their educational institutions or workplaces when they leave the camp,” he said.
What we know so far
When the PLKN was introduced in 2004 as a compulsory three-month programme, it involved a random selection of youths who had turned 18. It was halted in 2015 before being reintroduced the following year, with participation made optional by 2019. The programme, however, was scrapped in August 2018. Last month, the Defence Ministry announced that a revised PLKN would be introduced.
Oct 9
> The revival of the programme called PLKN 3.0, which targets youths who have completed their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations, was announced.
> The first phase will involve participation at the school level, while the second phase will take place after the SPM examinations.
> Phase 1 will involve Form Four students and will be geared towards uniformed co-curricular activities, such as those related to the police, firefighters and scouts. Under Phase 2, participants will undergo 45 days of training, 90% of which will involve basic military training while the remainder nation-building.
Oct 10
> It was proposed that financial literacy modules be included in the PLKN 3.0 as early preparation for the younger generation to face future challenges, including those related to online shopping, credit card offers and cashless transactions.
Oct 15
> The Defence Ministry is in the midst of identifying the number of army veterans needed for the programme so as to provide them with job opportunities.
Oct 31
> Although the new PLKN will be targeted at youths aged between 16 and 35, SPM examination candidates will not be selected.
> Thirteen Territorial Army camps nationwide, including the Police Training Centre (Pulapol) in KL, will be used for Phase 2 of the training.
> The PLKN 3.0 will cost RM100mil a year compared with RM500mil for the former PLKN schemes.
Nov 4
> Trainees would be selected based on their year of birth. For example, if the PLKN is to be implemented in 2024, only youths born in 2007 will be called up.
> If the selected trainees are unable to participate in the national service training for valid reasons, they can apply for a postponement.
> The maximum age limit to become a trainee is 35.
Nov 23
> PLKN 3.0 may only kick-off in 2025 as there was no allocation for it in Budget 2024.
Source: Media reports
