KUALA LUMPUR: The National Service Training Department will use the short messaging system (SMS) as an official channels to notify trainee selections for the National Service Training Programme (PLKN 3.0) Series 4/2026, scheduled to take place from Oct 3 to Nov 16.
Its director-general Major General Datuk Marzuki Mokhtar said that SMS was chosen as an additional approach to strengthen the delivery of trainee selection information faster, more directly and effectively to selected candidates.
"The SMS functions as a call to action by instructing candidates to check further via the ePLKN website to obtain complete information regarding reporting instructions, selection status and the actions that need to be taken.
"This approach takes into account past challenges when some candidates were unaware of their selection status or overlooked information regarding dates and reporting requirements, resulting in some candidates failing to attend as scheduled," he said in a statement on Sunday (Aug 9).
Marzuki noted that through SMS notification, candidates will receive notifications directly to their mobile phones based on the numbers recorded in the system, enabling the department to convey important information simultaneously to a large number of candidates without relying entirely on existing broadcast reach or the need for candidates to check the ePLKN website periodically.
Additionally, Marzuki stated that checks for prospective trainees of Series 4/2026, particularly those born in 2008, can be made through the ePLKN 3.0 System at https://plkn.mod.gov.my/pelatih/semakan/form starting 11am tomorrow.
Marzuki said that to ensure smooth registration processes and administrative matters, selected candidates must confirm their attendance through the ePLKN 3.0 System no later than September 18.
"The department also plans to operate eight National Service Training Branch (CLKN) camps for the implementation of PLKN 3.0 for series 4/2026, involving three camps currently in operation, namely Camp 504 Bukit Keteri, Perlis; Camp 505 Pekan, Pahang; and Camp 515 Kuala Lumpur.
"Meanwhile, five new camps are expected to open in the same series, namely Camp 503 Hutan Melintang, Perak; Camp 506 Sungai Durian, Kelantan; Camp 513 Bukit Pinang, Kedah; as well as two other camps involving training centers with Public Training Institute (ILA) status in Sungai Petani, Kedah and Tuaran, Sabah, which will be used as alternative camps to increase training capacity," he said.
Marzuki explained that the use of Public Training Institute (ILA) standard training centers reflects the government's strategic approach through inter-agency cooperation to strengthen the implementation of PLKN 3.0, which is a major national agenda, while giving more youths the opportunity to participate in PLKN 3.0 in stages this year.
He added that the department targets the development of 13 camps overall to support the implementation of PLKN 3.0, though some are still undergoing gradual development and upgrading and the use of alternative camps will help increase training capacity and meet this year's trainee intake targets. – Bernama
