KUALA LUMPUR: On the first day, they arrived as strangers from different cultures and backgrounds. Forty-five days later, they left their national service training camp with a shared understanding of diversity and the meaning of Merdeka.
“Now that I am here and have gone through military training myself, I understand more deeply that independence, and the struggle and sacrifices behind it, did not come easily,” said Cheyenne Alessandra Michael, 18.
She is among those who completed the 45-day Program Latihan Khidmat Negara 3.0 Series 3/2026 training yesterday.
Cheyenne, who joined the programme voluntarily because of her interest in becoming a soldier, said she was glad to have the chance to develop her leadership skills.
“I led a group of 247 trainees. Everyone gave their best and worked together. I will never forget that,” she said.
She was awarded “Wira Muda Ulung”, which is the highest honour given to the most outstanding trainees.
Sharlini Kumar, 21, spoke about the opportunity to spend time with people from different races and states.
“I feel that I have become more open-minded after the training. When you live and train alongside people from different backgrounds, you begin to understand their way of life.
“So, I have learned to respect our differences and not be too quick to make assumptions.
“Our training was just for several weeks but previous generations fought and made sacrifices so that we could live in peace today.
“That has made me see independence differently,” she said.
Sharlini, who joined the programme voluntarily as part of her internship, said the experience also changed her perspective on the responsibility of protecting the country.
“I used to think defending the country was the role of the military.
“Now I realise that while soldiers are on duty on the front lines, we also have a role in ensuring that what they fought to protect continues to be preserved,” she said.
For Cheah Zhi Ting, 18, the 45-day camp brought a more personal meaning to unity.
She recalled how the 247 trainees initially struggled to move in formation during marching drills, requiring hours of training before they could finally march in unison.
Beyond the training, Cheah said she has formed friendships with trainees from other states like Sabah, Sarawak and Kelantan.
She said the national service training made her realise that unity is not just something to talk about during National Day celebrations.
“We experience it ourselves when we eat, train, get tired and face challenges together with friends from different races and cultures,” she added.
National Service Training Council chairman Jeneral (Rtd) Tan Sri Dr Abdul Aziz Zainal said 795 trainees had completed the series across three camps which began on July 11.
The cohort comprised 106 women from a camp in Bukit Keteri, Perlis; 442 men from another camp in Pekan, Pahang; and 247 women from a camp in Kuala Lumpur.
Abdul Aziz also said 200 PLKN 3.0 alumni will take part in the National Day march-past in Putrajaya on Aug 31 for the first time.
Speaking to reporters after the PLKN 3.0 Series 3/2026 passing-out parade at the Camp 515 Askar Wataniah here yesterday, Abdul Aziz said the number of trainees for the next series will be increased to more than 1,000 through the addition of training camps, including the use of training centres operated by the Malaysian Volunteer Corps Department.
