Govt Considers Rebooting National Service Programme That Was Abolished 2 Years Ago
Ismail Sabri said the programme had helped instil patriotism among Malaysian youth.
By May Vin Ang — 24 Nov 2020, 04:18 PM
The government is planning to reintroduce the National Service Training Programme (PLKN) that was abolished in 2018
"The Ministry of Defence will propose the implementation of PLKN again," said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob in his Budget 2021 Bill wind-up speech in Parliament today, 24 November.
Ismail Sabri said the programme had helped instil patriotism among Malaysian youth and that the ministry will soon prepare a Cabinet memorandum on the matter to be proposed for the government's approval.
Launched in 2004, PLKN was a three-month programme meant to train 18-year-olds drafted from around the country to foster patriotism and unity in a multiracial environment
However, the previous government, the Pakatan Harapan administration, had abolished the programme in 2018 in favour of a new one to cut operational costs.
It was previously reported that an average of RM85,000 was required to train a participant for three months during the programme.
In today's sitting, the suggestion to revive PLKN was brought up by Pontian Member of Parliament (MP) Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan
"Thank you Pontian MP for the suggestion of reviving the PLKN program. The Defence Ministry will propose to the Cabinet for the programme to be implemented again," said Ismail Sabri.
Ahmad Maslan, who is also the UMNO secretary-general, later tweeted his appreciation to the Defence Minister and said that PLKN is good for the future generation.
