KUALA LUMPUR: The revamped National Service Training Programme (NS3.0) will also involve school leavers and university students, the Dewan Rakyat heard today.
Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari said the ministry was finalising the programme's module, and conducting final engagement sessions.
"It will involve students in secondary schools, university students, and youth who do not continue with their tertiary studies.
"There will be an age limit (of youth who will be involved in NS3.0), and we will ensure to implement the programme as best as possible."
He said this in response to a supplementary question from Major-General (Rtd) Datuk Khlir Mohd Nor (Perikatan Nasional-Ketereh) in Parliament today.
Khlir had asked Adly to explain if the NS3.0 would involve school students, as discussed in the Defence Select Committee meetings.
"I ask this because the minister has previously said that it would involve youth, and not school students.
"We did not discuss this in the select committee, and what we've decided was that NS3.0 would involve school students," said Khlir.
Following concerns from parents over alleged "harsh" module compositions, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin had assured that the programme module would be tailored according to age.
"We take note of parents' concerns, and we will tailor the module according to age. The NS3.0 may not involve those in schools," he had said in a press conference in Parliament on March 12.
The NS3.0 training is expected to restart next year, and will have two training components - military-based training and nation building or patriotism.
On Oct 8 last year, the then Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the programme would be making a comeback pending paperwork submission to the National Security Council first before approval.
The programme, he said, could take place at the existing 13 army camps and one police camp during a 45-day period.