National Service Training Programme (Malaysia)

Malaysian Armed Forces
Components
Malaysian Army
Royal Malaysian Navy
Royal Malaysian Air Force
History
Military history of Malaysia
Related information
Awards & decorations
Special Operations Force
Council
National service
Military manpower
Military age 18 years of age
Availability males age 16-49: 7,501,518
females age 16-49: 7,315,999
(2010 est.)
Fit For service males age 16-49: 6,247,306
females age 16-49: 6,175,274
(2010 est.)
Of age / year males: 265,008
females: 254,812
(2010 est.)
Military expenditure
Dollar figure 5.4 billion
(FY2015)
% of GDP 1.4%
(FY2015)

Source :
IHS Jane's

The National Service Training Programme, or Latihan Khidmat Negara (PLKN), is Malaysia's national service program. The conscripts are 18-year-old youths that are selectively drafted. The three-month program, which started in December 2003, began as way to encourage friendship between youths of certain ages from different races and ethnic groups and address concerns that the country's various groups were becoming increasingly isolated from one another.[1] This program was halted for one year in 2015 due to the federal government's efforts to cut spending.[2]

History

The national service program, first proposed in late 2002, came to committee the following year, and was finally implemented in 2004. Initial proposals envisaged drafting all youths of a certain age, but later lack of resources led to restricting the numbers of the intake. The program, planned around a two-year program, was later reduced to a year, then to six months, and then to its present three-month length.

Conscription has long been a sensitive political issue in Malaysia because of the ethnic divisions of the country. Proponents of National Service promoted bonding the youth of Malaysia together and creating a Malaysian nation, as the problem of racial polarisation was found to pervade educational institutions in Malaysia.

Selection of conscripts

In late December 2003, the names of 85,000 conscripts for the first National Service program was made public. The government announced that these youths were randomly selected out of the roughly 450,000 youths born in 1986, through a computerised process.[3] Conscripts are 18 years of age and picked from a national database that includes all citizens registered with a Malaysian ID card, whether born locally or overseas. Conscripts were informed of their participation in the program by mail at the address listed on their identification card. They are also able to check their status on the program's website, or by SMS. Lists of conscripts names and ID numbers are also published in major newspapers.

Deserters and draft dodgers are subject to punishment of a fine of up to but not exceeding RM 3000, and/or up to six months of jail. Deferrals to a later date are allowed. Exclusion from the program requires that the conscript fall under one of the following ten categories:[4]

Non selected civilians are also allowed to volunteer to enter the program after filling out certain forms in camps.

Objectives

Identity

The program has its own theme song and logo. Conscripts are issued two pairs each of three different types of uniforms: a class uniform, a sports uniform, and a combat uniform. The combat uniform's design is of blue camouflage stripes, made out of light blue, dark blue, white, and black.[5] The general color scheme for the class and sports uniforms is blue, and black. Criticisms against trainees' uniforms are apparent as blue clothes are easily spotted in jungles and verdant vegetation areas except the sky and water.

Ranks in the National Service

Conscripts exhibiting promising leadership capabilities are promoted to rank-holders during the early course of the training. These rank-holders are entrusted with military officer-like responsibilities and authorisations throughout the remaining course of the training. The ranking system however differs slightly among camps throughout the country according to each camp commandant.

Among the ranks available are:

Other ranks (varies from camp to camp, not all camps have the following officers):

Modules

The program is split into four modules:

In the 2004 program, conscripts (referred to as "trainees" or "Wira" for boys and "Wirawati" for girls) spent 2 months in physical training camp, followed by a final month in a university setting. The program consisted of three separate, overlapping batches. The first batch of 24,000 began in mid-February and ended in the beginning of May, while the second and third batches began in March and ended in June. Trainees were divided among 79 training camps scattered all over the country. Each camp was supposed to contain a good mix of youth from different ethnic groups and locations.

Budget and spending

Trainees were initially given a RM300 allowance by the government. Beginning in January 2008, this amount was raised to RM150/month, or RM450 total.[7] Trainee allowances come in the form of a Sijil Simpanan Premium (Premium Savings Certificate) from Bank Simpanan Nasional, or an account with Agro Bank Malaysia. The accounts with Agro Bank Malaysia have been criticised for taking out RM 20 from each account, for processing and ATM card fees.

According to then-Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop, RM2.37bil has been spent to finance the National Service program since it was introduced in 2004. RM608.6mil was spent in 2004, RM604.8mil in 2005, RM588.2mil in 2006 and RM565mil in 2007. Then-former Defence Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had said earlier that the programme would not exceed RM500mil a year.

Year Budget[8] (RM)
Total (as of 2008) RM2.37 bil
2008 TBA
2007 565.0 mil
2006 588.2 mil
2005 604.8 mil
2004 608.6 mil

List of National Service Training Camps

There are many National Service training camps in every state in Malaysia except the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya.

Initially, the program involved a two-month placement in a rural outdoor camp, followed by one month in an urban setting (a university, or sport facility). Following university complaints of vandalism, the urban setting placement was discontinued after the 2004 program. The canvas tents in the outdoor camps that housed 10 trainees each were replaced with concrete dormitories that housed 20 trainees each. Trainees are now housed at only one location throughout the duration of the program.

State Location Camp
Johor Mersing Pusat Bina Semangat YPJ
Mersing Kem Rekreasi Pertanian Teluk Sari
Pagoh Nasuha Camp
Desaru Kem Desaru Gerak Khas
Batu Pahat Semberong Camp
Kluang Kem PLKN Pth Padang Hijau
Tangkak PLKN Kem Sri Ledang
Kedah Langkawi Beringin Beach Resort Camp
Sik Rimba Taqwa Camp
Kuala Nerang Dusun Resort Camp
Kulim PLKN Bukit Besar Camp
Merbok Damai Park Resort Camp
Sintok PLKN Universiti Utara Malaysia Sintok Camp
Baling Kem Rekreasi Belia
Langkawi Kem Lagenda Seri Negeri
Kubang Pasu Sri Kandi Camp
Kubang Pasu Gardenia Camp
Kubang Pasu D' Jelapang Camp
Kelantan Pasir Puteh Kisana Beach Resort Camp
Gua Musang Etnobotani Training Camp
Pasir Mas Cancun Park Camp
Kuala Krai Batu Jong Training Camp
Melaka Masjid Tanah Warisan Camp
Ayer Keroh Ayer Keroh Recreational Park Camp
Pekan Asahan, Jasin Kem Lagenda Gunung Ledang, Asahan
Alor Gajah Kem PLKN Putra-Putri
Negeri Sembilan Jempol De Bana Camp
Rembau Ulu Pari Camp
Port Dickson PDS Resort Camp
Kuala Pilah Karisma Camp
Mantin Seri Perkasa Camp
Rembau Titian Bintagor
Tanjung Tuan Rachado Bay Camp
Pahang Raub Benum Hill Resort Camp
Bandar Muadzam Shah Pinggiran Pelangi Camp
Kuala Rompin Summerset Resort Camp
Lake Chini Lake Chini Resort Camp
Gambang Gambang Camp (Agro Resort Sungai Semuji)
Cherating Kem Cahaya Gemilang
Pekan Semarak Camp
Bentong Chamang Camp
Maran Indera Pahlawan Camp
Penang Sungai Bakap Sri Impian Camp
Balik Pulau Kem PLKN White Resort
Balik Pulau Kem PLKN Sri Mutiara
Bukit Mertajam Syruz Camp
Perak Manjung Kem Akademi Kepimpinan Segari
Ayer Tawar PLKN Kem Kg Baharu (De Air' Resort)
Sungai Siput Terkok Camp
Lumut Teluk Rubiah Camp
Gopeng Kem Taman Kepimpinan Gemilang
Sungkai Kem Sinaran Suria
Selama Tegas Mesra Camp
Chenderiang Sentosa Camp
Gunung Semanggol Jiwa Murni Camp
Perlis Wang Kelian Tasik Meranti Camp
Beseri Tasoh Camp
Padang Besar Guar Chenderai Camp
Sabah Sandakan Bagai Budi Resort Camp
Tuaran KK Dibawah Bayu Camp
Sipitang Kubena Camp
Papar Ovai Wawasan Camp
Tawau San Shui Camp
Kota Belud Sinar Jaya Camp
Tambunan Tanaki Camp
Sarawak Betong Bukit Saban Resort Camp
Miri Miri Camp, Batang Rait
Sibu Junaco Park Camp
Bintulu Similajau Camp
Serian Juara Camp
Sematan Putra Sentosa Camp
Sibu Bumimas Camp
Bau Puncak Permai Camp
Selangor Kuala Langat Paya Indah Camp
Kuala Kubu Bharu Kem Bina Semangat, Kem Pelangi Hill Resort
Rawang Temasya Rimba Templer, Templer Park
Sepang PLKN Princess Haliza Camp
Beranang Millennium Camp
Banting Jugra Banting Camp
Behrang Geo Cosmo Camp
Semenyih PLKN Setia Ikhlas Camp
Terengganu Setiu Merang Suria Holiday Camp
Setiu Kem Peladang Setiu Agro Resort
Kemaman Cheneh Cemerlang Training Camp
Kerteh Bakau Resort Camp

Deployment

The program is staggered into several batches (kumpulan) over the year. Collectively, all batches in a year are known as a series. Batches are known as "Batch X, Series Y". For example, the pilot batch in the pilot series would be referred to as Batch 1 Series 1, while the second batch in the fifth year (2008) series would be Batch 2 Series 5.

In the 2007 program, 100,000 people will be selected out of the country's youths born in 1989. They will be placed in 79 training camps, in three different batches. Each batch will undergo three months of training. However, the 2007 batches will not overlap, as with the previous year's. Instead, the three batches will span a total of nine months. Training of the first batch started on 1 January 2007 and will end at 11 March 2007. There were delays for trainees from the East Coast due to severe flooding in the region.

Including 2008, a total of 339,186 youths have been assigned to National Service since beginning in 2004.[8] The program is run by Jabatan Latihan Khidmat Negara (JLKN) or National Service Department, a department under the Malaysian Ministry of Defence.

Criticism

Despite progress towards ethnic harmony made in Malaysia in recent times it is clear that there are still problems. Outside the Human Rights Charter Contraventions, other problems are also as follows :

After the 2004 pilot batch completed its National Service, the youth wing of the Malaysian Chinese Association, Malaysia's largest ethnic Chinese party), on behalf of themselves and 8 other Chinese-based youth organisations, issued a memorandum to the National Service Training Council calling for more non-Malay trainers. They also criticised the lack of counsellors, imbalanced diet for the participants, poor communication among the various secretariats and no code of conduct for camp commandants or directors, trainers, facilitators and supervisors.

Other main controversy issues of Malaysian National Service include the selection system where the government computer database system picks up the trainees randomly without even knowing about their social status. Some cases include poor teenagers who need to work for their living and young mothers with newborn babies who were selected for the program, which are considered as inhumane. However, selected trainees with extraneous circumstances can send a letter of appeal to be exempted from the training, which will usually be approved.

In 2005, concerns were raised in Parliament that youth were being taught to use firearms, namely M16 rifles, in National Service. Then Deputy Prime Minister, Najib Razak, stated that this was merely a pilot project. However, a Democratic Action Party Member of Parliament (MP) claimed that the Parliamentary Select Committee on Unity and National Service had not been informed of the project. The firearms module is now a module of the program.

Trainees are required to submit a health status declaration form but are not required to seek qualified medical opinion in completing this declaration (unlike, for example, United States Space Camp which requires qualified medical certification of health status). Trainees are required to complete a medical checkup before entering the program, which is provided for free at major government clinics. This medical checkup, however, is not reinforced.

Official reception

The program has been plagued with claims of poor management right from its inception.[3] There have been a total of 16 trainee deaths.[9]

When pressured by more calls to suspend the program because of a 16th death, Najib responded that it was not feasible to stop the program since "many parties are involved".[10]

Major incidents

2005

2007

2008

2009

2010

2013

National Service trainee fatalities

2005

2007

2008

2009

2011

2012

1 death[29]

2013

Muhammad Suhaimi Norhamidi, 18, was bludgeoned to death by a blunt object by fellow trainees for allegedly cutting queue during breakfast at the National Service camp in Muadzam Shah, Pahang on 22 September 2013. Police have arrested three other trainees aged 17 to 21.[30]

Summary

There have been 22 deaths since the programme started in 2004,[9] with 12 trainees dying in the camps and five more during breaks or within days of completing the program.[8]

Notes

  1. Kent, Jonathan (8 December 2003). "Malaysian youth face call-up". BBC News. Retrieved 31 July 2008.
  2. Anisah Shukry (21 January 2015). "Why cancel National Service if it's so important, ask parents". The Malaysian Insider. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  3. 1 2 Netto, Anil (4 May 2004). "Malaysia's 3-month national service a flop?". Asia Times Online. Retrieved 31 July 2008.
  4. "Postponement Application And Exemption Supply Trainee". Malaysian National Service. Archived from the original on 1 May 2008. Retrieved 31 July 2008.(Malay)
  5. "Camouflage-Malaysia". Retrieved 31 July 2008.
  6. "Weapons Training Form" (PDF). Malaysian National Service. Retrieved 31 July 2008.(Malay)
  7. "Higher allowance for NS trainees from this month". The Star. 20 January 2008. Retrieved 31 July 2008.
  8. 1 2 3 "RM2.37bil spent on NS". The Star. 16 May 2008. Retrieved 31 July 2008.
  9. 1 2 "Malaysia: 'No malice' when Sikh trainee's hair cut". The Hindu. 20 January 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2011.
  10. Jamaludin, M. Hamzah; Rina De Silva (11 May 2008). "NS to outsource check-ups". The New Straits Times. Archived from the original on 20 May 2008. Retrieved 31 July 2008.
  11. "Disease Outbreak News" (PDF). Ministry of Health. May 2005. Retrieved 31 July 2008.
  12. "NS instructor in Malacca sacked". The Star. 16 May 2008. Retrieved 31 July 2008.
  13. "58 National Service Trainees at Desaru Camp Down With High Fever". Bernama. 1 July 2008. Retrieved 31 July 2008.
  14. "NS trainees still warded for observation". The Star. 29 May 2008. Retrieved 31 July 2008.
  15. Murali, R.S.N. (29 May 2008). "NS trainees in Setiu camp hit by food poisoning again". The Star. Retrieved 31 July 2008.
  16. 1 2 "More violence at NS camp". The Nut Graph. 1 July 2009. Retrieved 2 July 2009.
  17. "Minister orders probe into 'cutting' of Sikh boy's hair". The Star. Retrieved 19 January 2010.
  18. "NS trainees want out of camp".
  19. "NS Trainee Theresa Died of Viral Meningoencephalitis". Bernama. 14 June 2006. Retrieved 31 July 2008.
  20. "Parents Told To Ensure That NS Trainees Fill Health Forms Correctly". Bernama. 20 January 2007. Retrieved 31 July 2008.
  21. "Reports on NS Trainees Death Overblown, Says Health Minister". Bernama. 2 March 2007. Retrieved 31 July 2008.
  22. "NS trainee dies of fever". The Star. 3 September 2007. Retrieved 31 July 2008.
  23. "Family wants to know why girl not sent to hospital earlier". The Star. 9 May 2008. Retrieved 31 July 2008.
  24. Leen, Chan Li; Christina Koh (9 May 2008). "NS programme causing too many deaths, says DAP". The Star. Retrieved 31 July 2008.
  25. "NS trainee dies hours after being admitted". The Star. 17 April 2008. Retrieved 31 July 2008.
  26. "NS trainee found dead in his bed". The Star. 30 June 2009. Retrieved 30 June 2009.
  27. "Two NS trainees die of illnesses, another still in coma". The Star. 17 February 2011. Retrieved 17 February 2011.
  28. "Sarawakian NS trainee collapses, dies in hospital". The Star. 24 February 2011. Retrieved 24 February 2011.
  29. "NS trainee in coma dies". Thestar.com.my. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
  30. "Murder at National Service".

References

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