I REFER to the letter “Revival of programme not suitable at this time” (The Star, Dec 1) regarding the National Service Training Programme or PLKN. I beg to differ with the writer. PLKN was indeed a mind-changer for most of the 885,956 youths who participated in this programme over the past 14 years.I could see vast improvement in my son’s attitude, discipline, self-confidence and love for the country after he went through the programme. Many of my friends also expressed similar sentiments about their children after their attendance.
The amount of RM600mil a year is a small investment to make even during this pandemic in order to benefit from the multiplier dividend that we will reap over the decades by bringing a paradigm shift in the attitudes of our youths who undergo PLKN. The caveat to this is to keep the programme focused on its key role rather than trying to solve English proficiency and other issues as suggested by some during the past exercises. Limited instructions on firearm use coupled with a longer training period would help bolster the programme a little further! The government should be commended for trying to revive PLKN.
