KUALA LUMPUR: The National Service Training Programme (PLKN) will be making a comeback soon.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said this time the session will only be held for 45 days and can be organised at the existing 13 army camps and one police camp.
He said the paperwork needed to be completed and presented to National Security Council (MKN) for approval before the revival of PLKN 3.0.
"We are looking at reviving PLKN but with a new template instead of the old template, which is more to a summer camp.
"This time we do not want to spend too much but have positive returns," he told Dewan Rakyat today.
In the new PLKN, he said there would be three phases: Phase 1 at school level with the involvement at uniform units under co-curricular activities, followed by a 45-day camp under Phase 2, and then Phase 3 where the trainee would be welcomed by the agencies.
Under Phase 2, 90 per cent of focus will be on military-style identity building and another 10 per cent on statecraft (ketatanegaraan).
He explained that the revived PLKN will not use the South Korean or Singaporean model as a reference.
He also said that the trainers for the programme were ready.
"Previously over RM500 million per year spent, now we are looking at below RM100 million based on the paperwork.
"Most importantly is the end result, we produce quality, disciplined and patriotic youths," he added.
PLKN, which was introduced in 2004, was abolished in 2018 and replaced with a youth leadership programme during the Pakatan Harapan administration.
TIMELINE OF THE NATIONAL SERVICE PROGRAMME
May 28, 2003
- Cabinet approves a proposal to implement the National Service Programme and National Service Training Act 2003.
June 25, 2003
- The Dewan Rakyat passes the National Service Training Act bill.
July 7, 2003
- Dewan Negara approves the bill.
December 2003
- The three-month National Service (NS) Training Programme starts and is made compulsory for selected teenagers aged 18 and above. It encompasses physical activities and modules that impart nationhood knowledge, character development and community service.
- The NS's annual intake is between 85,000 to 95,000 trainees, with an average expenditure of RM600 million per year.
- The programme is handled by the National Service Training Department under the Defence Ministry
Jan 20, 2015
- The NS programme is temporarily halted due to cost-cutting measures.
2016
- It is resumed as the NS Training Programme 2.0 with about 20,000 trainees per year.
Aug 13, 2018
- The NS Training programme and National Civics Bureau programme are abolished under the Pakatan Harapan government. A minister cites concerns over racial indoctrination as one of the reasons for the removal of both initiatives.
Dec 5, 2018
- The government says it will implement the 'Malaysia Future Leaders School' programme to replace the NS. It will be held during school holidays and follows the summer camp concept.
Oct 9, 2023
- The Defence Minister tells Parliament that the NS programme will make a comeback after obtaining approval from the National Security Council.