KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 148 trainees of the National Service Training Programme 3.0 (PLKN 3.0) have registered to join the Territorial Armies (Askar Wataniah), the Dewan Rakyat was told.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin added that 40 PLKN 3.0 trainees had joined the “Perajurit Muda” (cadet) training.
“The figures are expected to rise in line with the expansion of the PLKN 3.0 programme next year,” he said when winding up debates on the 13th Malaysia Plan on Wednesday (Aug 20).
According to the minister, there are currently 121,000 military personnel in service compared to only 34,000 voluntary personnel.
“We are still far from reaching the one-to-one ratio between the number of permanent and voluntary officers,” he said.
He also defended the PLKN 3.0 programme, stressing that it is a strategic intervention measure designed to develop disciplined and patriotic young Malaysians.
“In this increasingly complex world, fostering patriotism and defence awareness are critical foundations to preserve the country’s security and sovereignty,” he said.
“We must develop a community that truly understands the country’s security and defences,” he said.
He added that the country’s defence is not solely the Armed Forces' responsibility, but also that of the people.
