KULAI: A Malaysian Institute of Defence and Security survey found that that 87 per cent of respondents supported the extension of the National Service (NS) training programme.
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul said the survey found that parents were in favour of their children enrolling in NS, as it provided them with a clear direction in life.
The 3,092 respondents were aged between 16 to 60.
"Parents want their children to be equipped with the right skills and values to succeed.
"The National Service 3.0 programme, to be implemented this year, will include modules aimed at installing leadership qualities and help shape their characters," said Johari.
NS 3.0 will incorporate 70 per cent military training and 30 national service, designed to enhance personal skills, including communication and critical thinking.
However, the new version of the programme will allow participants, particularly those who have completed their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, to explore opportunities in the Reserve Officer Training Unit (Palapes) or Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sectors.
Johari said NS 3.0's first trial session will see the involvement of 200 participants — 148 men and 52 women — between Jan 12 and Feb 25.
He said NS camps would be operated by the army, instead of outsourced to private firms like in the past.
This will include the establishment of a special taskforce to ensure there were no harsh treatments, bullying or other untoward incidents.
On the Youth Parliament, a platform aimed at nurturing young leaders, Johari said there was a paramount need to expose youths today to parliamentary procedures, royal decrees and protocols procedures and the country's constitution supremacy, among others.
"They are our future leaders, and with proper guidance they will someday be capable parliamentarians.
"I was given the responsibility to educate our children, how can we produce future leaders who are more vulnerable with a better system and no longer like it is now, we see in parliament many leaders engage in politics instead of focusing on the rakyat," he said.
He added that there was a need "to reshape the youth leadership system" and provide a platform for them to engage with politics in a constructive way.
"The Youth Parliament will help develop well-rounded future leaders who can rise above political games and focus on the welfare of the people," he said, adding that gender equality in parliament should also be improved.
Johari also said that the reforms to the selection process for youth leaders would be implemented this year, aimed at creating a system that ensures a more competent pool of future members of parliament.
He added that, ideally, all 222 parliamentary constituencies should have a Youth Parliament representative.