National Service Training To Return Next Year

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The National Service Training Programme (NS3.0) is expected to be reimplemented next year. - NSTP file picKUALA LUMPUR: The reimplementation of the National Service Training Programme (NS3.0) is expected to be conducted next year.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said that its ministry is currently in the process of finalising the programme's training curriculum.
"This revived National Service Training Programme will roughly consist of 80 per cent military training and 20 per cent patriotism training in its module.
"Hence, we are finalising the aspects of curriculum, execution, and inter-agency efforts. As such, we expect it to commence next year," he told reporters in a press conference At the ministry's 2024 Excellent Service Awards and 'Jasamu Dikenang' event, here.
Also in attendance were the Deputy Defence Minister, Adly Zahari and Armed Forces Chief General Tan Sri Mohammad Ab Rahman.
When asked about concerns regarding the politically biased content of the training programs, Khaled stated that similar programs are also conducted in other countries, and the matter has not been raised as it solely revolves around military training.
"It is not true to say that the training programme is used for political influencing, nor does it revolve around political elements.
"There are a couple of other countries that had similar programmes and there are no concerns raised about it (on politically-biased content). That is the problem with Malaysia, everything needs to be politicised," he said.
Yesterday, based on a survey conducted by a non-profit organisation, Architects of Diversity (AOD), a majority of Malaysians agreed on the reimplementation of the National Service Training Programme (NS3.0).
The survey found that 67 per cent out of 2,633 respondents across various demographics supported the revival of the programme whereas only 11 per cent disagreed.
The survey also logged several concerns regarding the implementation of the training programme where sexual harassment and bullying towards participants emerged as top concerns, with 52 per cent and 49 per cent of respondents expressing deep apprehension, respectively.
Additionally, worries about politically biased content were prevalent, with 41 per cent voicing significant concern.
On Oct 8 last year, the then Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the programme would be making a comeback pending paperwork submission to the National Security Council (NSC) first before approval.
The programme, he said, can be organised at the existing 13 army camps and one police camp and will be held over a 45-day session. - NST

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