KOTA TINGGI: The Defence Ministry will retain the RM8 per day allowance for participants of the National Service 3.0 programme, which is set to begin next month.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said it was inappropriate to discuss raising the allowance at this time because the programme had yet to start.
"As of today, we are maintaining the RM8 per day allowance for National Service 3.0 participants. Once the programme begins, we will reassess this issue," he said.
He made these comments during a press conference after the launch and handover ceremony of projects under the Madani - Mindef Village Adoption Programme at Balai Raya Kampung Baru Pasak, here, today.
On Thursday, the Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) on Security, in its report tabled in parliament, had deemed the RM8 daily allowance as insufficient, and recommended raising it to RM50 per day.
"The committee recommends that the government consider raising the allowance rate in light of the rising cost of living and as an incentive for trainees to participate in the programme," it said.
National Service 3.0 is scheduled to be implemented gradually, starting on Jan 12, involving about 500 participants across two military camps in Kuala Lumpur and Pahang. It will later expand to 13 camps nationwide as part of the full implementation by 2026.
Meanwhile, Khaled, who is also the Kota Tinggi member of parliament, expressed confidence that incidents of bullying among the participants would be avoided.
He explained that this was due to the duration of the programme, which will not exceed two months, and its implementation within military camps.
"National Service 3.0 will only last for 45 days, and based on that, we will ensure that incidents of bullying and provocation do not occur, especially since it will take place within military camps.
"Given these factors, we believe issues like bullying and provocation will be manageable," he said.