ALOR GAJAH: The National Service Training Programme 3.0 will begin in stages starting in January next year.
Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari said for the first phase, the government planned to involve participants on a small scale before expanding it in the subsequent phase in June.
He said NS 3.0 would involve participants aged between 16 and 35, with several learning modules outlined.
"For National Service Training Programme 3.0, the government has allocated RM50 million to begin its implementation. We will launch the programme with its first intake in early January next year.
"For this initial intake, participants will be placed in two camps to pilot the NS 3.0 project, involving around 500 participants before it is rolled out more broadly with a larger number of participants in June next year," he said.
Adly had earlier launched the state-level Jiwa Murni Project (PJM) in Hutan Percha here today.
Also present was Third Division army commander Major General Datuk Zahari Mohd Ariffin
Adly said that 13 army camps have been identified as NS 3.0 locations, including in Kuala Lumpur and Pahang, and these camps will accommodate selected participants.
"We will use existing camps, and they are currently being refurbished. However, for the first intake, we will only be using two camps.
"By 2026, all 13 camps will be fully utilised to accommodate participants after the full implementation of the programme," he said.
Meanwhile, Adly, who is also the Alor Gajah member of parliament said that through the Jiwa Murni Project initiative, the Defence Ministry through the army has repaired 10 houses in Melaka during the first 10 months of this year.
"To support this initiative, the ministry allocated RM138,500 for the repair of five houses in the Alor Gajah parliamentary constituency."