The Defence Ministry has set up a committee to study the National Service training programme (PLKN) with a view towards abolishing or modifying it, said Mohamad Sabu.

Even though Pakatan Harapan had pledged to cancel the programme which had cost the government a whopping RM8.43 billion since its inception in 2004, the Defence Minister said a thorough review must be carried out before the final decision was made.

“The study is important to assess the implications to all parties involved; it will take into account the possibility for modification or cost-cutting measures if there is a need to continue the programme,” the Kota Raja lawmaker said in Parliament, today.

He said 43% of the more than RM8 billion funding for the programme was spend on renting the camps. 

“In terms of implementation, there are many shortcomings that need to be fixed if it is to be continued.”

He said the views of stakeholders, including parents, former trainees and relevant agencies, would be considered in the final report for the cabinet.

Wong Hon Wai (PH-Bukit Bendera) had asked the ministry to state the total sum the government has invested in PLKN and if the programme was relevant to the country’s defence.

Mohamd said after 14 years, the programme had trained 885,956 Malaysians.

Of the total trainess, 356,411 have joined the National Service Volunteer Brigade.

In June, the National Service Training Department announced that PLKN Third Group Series 15/2018 was postponed until further notice. This was because the intake of trainees for the year had exceeded the target of 20,022 people, it said.

The objectives of PLKN for the youth are instil patriotism, encourage racial unity and build character. – August 2, 2018.