TANJONG MALIM: The involvement of private higher education institutions (IPTS) in the National Service Training Programme (PLKN) is being considered for future implementation, says Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir (pic).
He said, however, the matter is subject to discussions with National Service Training Department director-general Maj Gen Datuk Marzuki Mokhtar.
“He will determine the sequencing of the programme, including whether private institutions will participate alongside public universities.
“Following the involvement of public universities, private institutions may be included at a later stage.
“We will also look at state-owned IPTS, as every state has its own universities. There are also government-linked company universities such as Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Multimedia University and others, which will be given due attention,” he added.
Zambry was speaking to reporters after launching the book, titled Nahas Gerik: UPSI Berduka, at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) here yesterday, Bernama reported.
Earlier, he officiated the pilot programme for PLKN 3.0 at the public university level, which was also attended by Defence Ministry deputy secretary-general (Management) Datin Roszanina Wahab, Higher Education Department director-general Datuk Prof Dr Azlinda Azman, Marzuki and UPSI vice-chancellor Datuk Prof Dr Md Amin Md Taff.
On UPSI becoming the first university to implement PLKN 3.0, Zambry said the programme had received an encouraging response, with 1,005 newly enrolled diploma students from the June 2026 intake selected to participate.
The group comprises 567 male and 438 female trainees.
“We are committed to ensuring that PLKN 3.0 is implemented as effectively as possible.
“After that, we will also roll out the programme at polytechnics and community colleges,” he said.
Bernama previously reported that RM250mil had been allocated under Budget 2026 for the pilot implementation of the programme at the higher education level before it is expanded to all IPTAs in 2027.
Meanwhile, Zambry said the publication of the book was an initiative by UPSI to document an event that had a profound impact on the university community and society at large.
He said the book also serves as a tribute to the victims and families affected by the UPSI student bus tragedy in Gerik on June 9, 2025.
In the incident, 15 students were killed when a specially chartered bus transporting them from Jertih to the university’s main campus here overturned after colliding with a Perodua Alza multi-purpose vehicle.
