PLKN 3.0: National Service Gets a Reboot, Here’s All You Need To Know

Right after this writer completed high school, you either considered yourself lucky to be chosen by random for our country’s National Service (NS)…or not. However, NS will be making a comeback, pending MKN approval *drumroll*.

What happened to phase 1 of NS?

The National Service Training Programme (PLKN) was first introduced in 2004 where youths aged 18 were randomly chosen for a compulsory three-month programme. It was halted in 2015 and reintroduced in 2016 with around 20,000 trainees a year with participation to be made optional by 2019.

In August 2018, it was abolished by the Pakatan Harapan government after it was found, along with the National Civics Bureau, to have been misused for the purpose of the indoctrination of certain beliefs. The government said that it would implement the 'Malaysia Future Leaders School' programme to replace the NS which would be held during school holidays and follow a summer camp concept.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said during a question-and-answer session in parliament on Monday according to CNA, "In 2021, the Cabinet has given the approval to continue PLKN as it is highly beneficial in providing our youth with basic knowledge on nation-building.”

"A special committee has been established by the Ministry of Defence to study how we can revive PLKN, but with a fresh template, not using the old approach where it was more like a summer camp.

What will be new NS be like?

As reported by NST, Hasan has said that the session will only be held for 45 days instead of the original three months and can be organised at the existing 13 army camps (Wataniah) and one police camp. He also mentioned that there was no continuity to the former programme where participants would just enjoy themselves *we beg to differ*.

It will be revived with a new template involving three phases:

• Phase 1: at school level with the involvement at uniform units under co-curricular activities for Form Four students

• Phase 2: a 45-day camp after completing Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia

• Phase 3: the trainees would be welcomed by the agencies.

The revived NS will not use the South Korean or Singaporean model as a reference which are tailored to focus on manpower deployment. However, 90 per cent of the focus will be on military-style identity building to build the participants into resilient, energetic, and healthy youths and another 10 per cent on statecraft (ketatanegaraan).

What is the aim of the new NS?

According to CNA, it aims to prepare trained youths with strong character and a deep love for their country. This will in turn equip them for future employment in crucial government agencies such as the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department, and the Civil Defence Force.

When will the new NS commence?

The paperwork for 3.0 is currently being prepared at the ministry level and will be submitted to the National Security Council (MKN) for approval before the programme recommences. Hasan did not specify a timeframe but agreed with a suggestion that the matter should be scrutinised by a Parliamentary Special Select Committee for further input.

How much will it cost the government?

By organising PLKN 3.0 in military camps and police training centres, as well as employing military personnel as instructors within these facilities, the government could cut annual spending from RM500 million to RM100 million.

"This time, we want to implement PLKN without spending a lot, but will greatly benefit participants,” Hasan added.

What do you think of the government bringing this back? Third time's the charm?