National Service 3.0 just has to keep our kids safe

THERE’S about two months to go before National Service (NS) 3.0 begins. There’s also been lots of discussion about the latest version of the programme.

But who can blame parents and youths when previous NS iterations actually saw participants fall ill or even lose their lives?

The idea for a national service has been deemed attractive enough that past administrations have tried their luck with different versions.

It began in 2004, with the launch of a three-month national service programme to integrate Malaysia’s multiethnic population. It was halted for one year in 2015 when the government cut spending.

In 2018, the programme was scrapped after the government found that it failed to serve its purpose.

A minister at the time said that rather than integrating teenagers, the programme was being used for racial indoctrination.

What we need for NS 3.0 to succeed is much better security when our youths are in the camps. Basic hygiene must be maintained, a safe environment must be provided, physical and mental health must be looked after. There’s just no two ways about any of this.

With a case of bullying at Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia currently being investigated, that too is a concern: The authorities must make sure NS 3.0 participants are not bullied or sexually harassed.

We want our children to learn about each others’ communities, not get sick or bullied.

NS 3.0 starts in January with 500 participants at two military camps in Kuala Lumpur and Pahang.

It will be expanded to 13 camps nationwide in 2026.

Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari has said that Malaysians aged 16 and over will be automatically entered into a lottery, from which names will be picked to join the programme; the number of participants will increase to 1,000 by June.

The lottery will target participation from students in Form Four, Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia school leavers and students from higher learning institutions.

Let’s hope it’s a winning lottery for all participants.