PETALING JAYA: The National Service Training Department has apologised for the current intake at a camp in Pekan exceeding capacity, with trainees who were told to return home being able to join the next intake without the selection process.
In a statement on Sunday (Jan 18), its director, Datuk Ya’cob Samiran, said that it was forced to turn away trainees to ensure the quality of training.
"The National Service Training Department would like to apologise and also thank parents and guardians for their encouraging support. We did not anticipate that the number would exceed the prescribed capacity.
"However, to ensure the quality of training, the comfort of accommodation, and the safety of trainees, we have been compelled to make the difficult decision to postpone the registration of some trainees and request that they return to their respective residences temporarily, due to capacity constraints as the camp cannot accommodate this excess," the statement said.
The statement said that overbooking was practised due to past trends of no-shows.
"However, attendance in this series has been extraordinary and beyond expectations," it said.
It added that those told to return home were not rejected and would receive priority for admission in the upcoming intake without undergoing the selection process again.
Those affected can also submit travel claims to the National Service Training Department.
According to the department, a total of 838 male trainees reported for admission on Jan 17, with 282 walk-ins. Only 28 of the walk-ins were admitted.
