KUALA LUMPUR: The revamped National Service Training Programme (PLKN) 3.0 is based on thorough and in-depth studies, says Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
The Defence Minister said several academic studies have been conducted quantitatively and qualitatively to gauge the impact of the programme.
"Statistics on the involvement of youth, level of satisfaction of the trainees, and the measure of the level of patriotism showed positive results.
"PLKN 3.0 will be conducted with a new concept and format for Malaysians aged 17 and above starting next year.
"The new concept and format have taken into account the assessment of past programmes," he said in a statement on Friday (Dec 6).
He was commenting on a bipartisan parliamentary committee's statement urging the government not to proceed with implementing the revamped PLKN 3.0, saying it needs thorough scrutiny on Thursday (Dec 5).
The Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) on Nation Building, Education and Human Resources Development said a deeper study is needed if the government is sticking to its mid-2025 implementation target.
The aim of conducting the program again is to inspire a new generation that values patriotism, practices good values, fosters unity, and promotes the spirit of volunteerism, said Mohamed Khaled.
"At the same time, it also plays a role in instilling the interest of youth to explore a military career and contributing to the nation," he said.
Mohamed Khaled said that PLKN 3.0 is a programme encompassing the statehood element module (strong character, love for country and unity) to meet set objectives.
"Comparing PLKN 3.0 to other similar programmes in other countries, the latter are more focused on active military service for a long duration.
"To ensure that all weaknesses of past programmes do not reoccur, the ministry is making ample preparations to conduct trial training and a pioneer project for PLKN 3.0 at Territorial Army (Wataniah) camps as early as Jan next year.
"To minimise expenditure, the ministry will conduct the programme at 13 Wataniah camps, 20 public universities and teacher training institutes as well as several poly-techniques nationwide," he said.
The ministry believes that efforts to instil the spirit of patriotism and strong character among the youth must not be secondary in nature, Mohamed Khaled said.
"The programme is critical towards nation building.
"Current situation warrants the reintroduction of the programme," he added.
