JOHOR BARU: Reviving the National Service Training Programme would be a complete waste of time if the old syllabus is used.
This is the personal opinion of Colonel Shah Ali (not his real name), who is still on active duty as a commando trainer at the country's Special Warfare Training Centre at the Sungai Udang Camp in Melaka, and was an NS trainer in the past.
"It is pointless, a waste of time, and in my opinion is merely to make someone richer… because the syllabus and module (in use then) made no sense," he said, pulling no punches when talking about what he had seen when the training programme was conducted years ago.
It is, however, only the syllabus that had gotten Shah Ali in a huff.
"The idea of having a camp to house and train school-leavers is brilliant… National Service on the whole is good but to ensure you develop the participants is equally important, in order to call the programme a success.
"What is the purpose? You spend funds to train them, based on a syllabus which is akin to a boy scouts' camp, in the name of unity and resilience, but you see them huddled up among their friends of the same race, and they don't love the country.
"Then once the period is up, they leave… how does the country benefit from this?
"Worst case scenario, if your parents are well-to-do, or (have connections, you get exempted, while (most) don't even join uniformed bodies to serve the country, after finishing the programme.
"There is no sense of belonging, love for the country, so in my opinion it is a total waste of time and funds."
Shah Ali said Malaysia should, perhaps, follow Singapore's example.
In Singapore, all male citizens and second-generation permanent residents are required to serve an NS period of two years on active duty with the armed forces, police force or civil defence force.
After the two years, if they do not continue their service, they are required to serve up to 40 days of Operationally Ready National Service (ORNS) per year till the age of 50 for officers or 40 years for other ranks.
"Our syllabus has no impact on the participants... even unqualified trainers were hired. If (NS training) is revived, then the Defence Ministry should first look into the syllabus before implementing it," said Shah Ali.
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.