THE national service (NS) programme could begin in 2025, Defence Minister Mohamad Hasan told parliament.

He said it cannot start next year as there was no allocation under Budget 2024.

“If we want to use army camps for this, we need to upgrade all the camps.

“The ministry will study the implementation mechanism with all stakeholders before it is finalised and activated.

“NS may only begin in 2025,” he said in reply to points raised during the debate on the Defence Ministry’s (Mindef) allocations.

Mohamad told the chamber Mindef had looked into many options.

He said suggestions by MPs to cooperate with civil society groups would be considered before its paper is presented to the cabinet for further approval.

On October 31, Mohamad announced the revival of the programme, NS 3.0, targeting SPM graduates.

He said NS 3.0 would feature a different approach, including requiring youth to undergo training at army camps.

NS was introduced in 2004 involving a random selection of 18-year-olds for a compulsory three-month programme.

It was halted in 2015 and reintroduced in 2016, with participation set to be optional by 2019.

The programme was scrapped in August 2018. – November 23, 2023.