Malaysian National Service aka PLKN

***

The source for most of the information regarding Malaysian National Service used in this article is taken from Wikipedia and PLKN. Why?

First, Wikipedia is considered the most referred web portal in the world for people searching for information and the PLKN is the offical website.

Second, since the whole world or shall I say, majority of Internet users around the world will be able to access Wikipedia and PLKN, it is of utmost importance that the information in Wikipedia and PLKN is correct and not some misguided facts.

Third, blame Wikipedia and PLKN if the information is incorrect NOT yours truly. MMMkay... Oh yeah, the mastery of the art of "Tai Chi". May the force be with you.

***

The Malaysian National Service aka the PLKN which is the abbreviation for "Program Latihan Khidmat Negara" or literally translated as National Service Training Program or just known as NS, is a compulsory 3 months military service program for teenagers that started in December 2003.

The Objectives of the NS aka PLKN are:

To increase and instill the patriotism spirit in the young Malaysians.

To promote race unity and national integration.

To shape positive attitude through pure moral values.

To ignite volunteerism spirit.

To produce confident, intelligent, and energetic young generation.

The Vision of the NS aka PLKN is:

To make the best superior organization in helping teenagers to be Steel spirited, Self confidence, Loyal to the country, Always ready to face any challenges to the direction of promoting cooperation and unity among the multi-racial population in the country.

The Missions of the NS aka PLKN are:

Hopes to be the main organization that shapes generations that are disciplined, loyal to the country, steel spirited, positive attitude and loves unity.

Conducting effectiveness research regarding the PLKN in line with the objectives and national aim.

Done with the general information, lets move on to other issues regarding the NS aka PLKN shall we?

Perhaps the most debated issue regarding the NS aka PLKN is the "untowardly" issue that happens during the training program.

The following are the major incidents that happened since the implementation of the NS aka PLKN quoted directly from Wikipedia:

Major Incidents

2004

Rape

Merang Camp, Setiu, Terengganu, on 28 February. A female trainee, 17, was raped by Corporal Zuki Mohd, 30, in a Perodua Kancil in the Rhu Tapai agro-industrial estate in Setiu between 7.28pm and 9.10pm on February 28. Zuki Mohd had been employed as a physical module instructor at Merang Camp. The trial began on 14 December 2004 at the Terengganu Sessions Court, and ended on 20 December 2005. Zuki, a military personnel from Kampung Bari Besar, Setiu, was convicted of raping the girl by the Terengganu Sessions Court and was sentenced to 12 years' jail and three strokes of the rotan. The female trainee later sued the trainer as well as the government for negligence.

Lost in jungle

Ovai Wawasan Camp, Papar, Sabah, on 21 February. Around 600 trainees and instructors were lost for almost 12 hours after following the wrong trail during what was meant to be an hour-long afternoon hiking trip. Except for kitchen staff, trainees who had gone to church that day, and several staff members who stayed behind to keep an eye on camp facilities, close to the entire 600+ member camp were involved in the hiking trip. After close to 12 hours, a full name count was finally issued at 2 am.

2005

Food poisoning

PDS Resort Camp, Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan, on 16 May. 60 trainees and instructors at Pusat Latihan Khidmat Negara, Port Dickson Camp, Negeri Sembilan.

2007

Food poisoning

Sri Impian Camp, Sungai Bakap, Penang, on 30 December. Trainees suffered food poisoning due to food served on the first day of camp, 30 December.

Lost in jungle

Kem Lagenda Gunung Ledang, Jasin, Malacca, on 30 April. Twenty-three lost their way during a jungle trekking exercise at Asahan Forest Reserve. The instructor in charge of the group was subsequently dismissed with immediate effect for negligence.

2008

High fever

Kem Desaru Gerak Khas, Kota Tinggi, Johor, on 31 May. 58 trainees came down with vomiting and high fever on 31 May, and were admitted to Kota Tinggi Hospital. The incident began when trainees began to fall sick after returning to camp on 28 May, from the Wirajaya module (a two-day jungle trekking exercise).

Food poisoning

Kem Barracuda, Setiu Agro, Terengganu, on 29 May. 67 trainees developed stomachaches believed to be caused by due to food poisoning on 28 May, barely a week after nine trainees from the same camp suffered the same ailment. Fourteen trainees were warded in the Setiu Hospital, while 53 received outpatient treatment. Four food handlers at the camp also received outpatient treatments at the same hospital. The food was catered from outside, as the camp's canteen had been closed after the May 23 incident when four of the trainees were warded for food poisoning.

Food poisoning

Kem Barracuda, Setiu Agro, Terrenganu, on 23 May. Nine trainees fell ill due to food poisoning, with four trainees being warded at Setiu Hospital. The camp's canteen was subsequently closed down.

Outbreak of unknown fever

Kem PLKN Jiwa Murni, Semanggol, Perak, in late April. At least 10 trainees were warded at the Taiping Hospital, while 80 others were being treated at the camp, and all trainees were given blood tests, for an outbreak of an unidentified fever. The Kerian district health office placed the camp under quarantine. The quarantine was only discovered a few days after being initialized, when parents were turned away from picking up their children for a scheduled week-long break.

NS aka PLKN trainees

fatalities/deaths

2004

Awang Mohd Fazil Awang Borhan, 17

Attached to Kem Simalajau, Bintulu, Sarawak. Died on 23 April in a drowning accident. He had been swimming with 36 other trainees at Sungai Cina, Matang, Kuching, Sarawak.

T. Saravana, 18

Attached to Kem Ethnobotany, Gua Musang, Kelantan. The trainee from 1614A Hospital Quarters, Taiping, Perak drowned while picnicking at Sungai Taman Wangi, Gua Musang, about 3 kilometres from his camp, with 250 trainees and 10 trainers.

2005

Nurul Ashikin Karino, 17

Attached to Kem Shan Sui, Tawau, Sabah. Died on 14 May after being injured during training. Karino Jalani (father of the deceased) claimed that he was not allowed to meet his daughter who fell and was injured as part of a training accident.

S. Theresa Pauline, 17

Attached to Kem Karisma, Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan. Died on 11 June after being admitted to the hospital on 23 May due to having fits. Her death was attributed to viral meningoencephalitis. Her father, S. Sarimuthu was paid RM 32,000.

2006

Haziq Jaafar, 17

Attached to Kem Padang Hijau, Kluang, Johor. The trainee from Kota Tinggi, Johor, died after a fight with another trainee at Kem Padang Hijau.

2007

Teng Shian Shen, 18

Attached to Kem Pasir Panjang, Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan. Died two weeks after being asked to return home from her training at the Pasir Panjang due to breathing difficulties.

Ili Ameera Azlan, 17

Attached to Kem Ayer Keroh, Ayer Keroh, Melaka. Died on 18 January at Malacca Hospital, after suffering breathing difficulties. The parents were paid RM 35,000.

Prema Elenchelian, 18

Attached to Kem Kisana Beach Resort, Pasir Puteh, Kelantan. The trainee from Kajang, Selangor, was found unconscious in a toilet at Jeram Linang (0230 hours) on 1 March. She was taken to the Tengku Anis Hospital where she was pronounced dead. Prema's death brought to 12 the number of trainees who have died since the programme began in 2004.

Mohd Rafi Ameer, 18

Attached to Cheneh Cemerlang Camp, Kemaman, Pahang. Died at 10.30pm on 3 September, after having fever for 1 week. Rafi had previously called his sister and told her that he had a fever, and that his leg had been swollen for nearly a week after he fell during training.

2008

Afiz Zuhairi Ahmat Rozali, 18

Attached to Kem Sentosa, Chenderiang, Perak. Died on 16 April at Teluk Intan Hospital, Perak, after a brief febrile illness. He was treated by camp paramedics several times before finally being transferred to hospital where he died in less than 24 hours.

Too Hui Min, 18

Attached to Kem Geo Kosmo, Behrang, Selangor. Passed away on 7 May at Slim River Hospital, Perak, three days after she started complaining of constipation. The cause of death was later determined as being toxic megacolon - her colon had been swollen and the lining had thinned due to septicemia. Her family is desperate to know why she wasn't sent to the hospital earlier. As a result of this latest death bringing the total so far to 16, several DAP leaders are calling for the suspension or even the scrapping of the National Service programme.

As of June 2008, there have been 16 deaths since the programme started in 2004, with 11 trainees dying in the camps and five more during breaks or within days of completing the program.

In addition to the deaths, the latest death would be that of Ricky Lim, 20 who returned after his NS training on Sept 6, 2008 and died on Sept 15, 2008. Now, his sister is required to undergo the PLKN of which the parents are totally against.

It is very understandable being that, their only son died and now their only daughter are required to undergo the same training that possibly might have been the cause of their son's death. It must have felt like sending their only daughter to the very gate of Hell, literally speaking.

However, I believe not only their family are worried and anxious about it. All parents must have, at one point in time, worried about sending their children for the PLKN and prayed for their safe return.

Now, the question here to ask is that , "Could the incidents that happened be avoided or prevented?". If the answer is yes then it is very regrettable that proper preventive measures are not taken. If the answer is no, then there is basically nothing thatcan be done.

Looking at the "trend", the body counts are certainly piling up so to speak. Immediate actions must be taken to prevent future "untowardly" incidents from happening.

The concept of having National Service to strengthenen the country and promote unity among the multi-racial population in Malaysia is indeed well justified and good but the implementation and the process of the training program should be improved from all aspects to prevent further loss of lives that could have been avoided.

The NS aka PLKN as mentioned before, is compulsory. However there are certain exemptions that are given. The conditions for exemption from the PLKN training are for those who are:

Insane/Insanity

Physically Disabled

Serving Jail Term

Held Under Preventive Detention

Undergoing drug rehabilitation

Detained by the Children's Act of 2001 (Act 612)

Confirmed by medical officer as having fatal disease/conditions

Confirmed by medical officer as having contagious disease

There you have it. Those who are going to undergo the PLKN need to check for above conditions and may the force be with you.

There are a lot other issues that are quite clear and more to like open secret where everyone knows but are left as it it due to numerous reasons, issues that I would not go in length here due to a certain fact. Oh yeah, a cautious ass is a safe ass and I-do-really-love-my-ass-very-much-thank-you to let it rot "somewhere".

It is enough to say that, whatever happens it is the loyalty to the COUNTRY that is important, NOT the loyalty to the "Gah-Var-Men". Ahem. **clears throat**

Citizens who are LOYAL and LOVE their COUNTRY are bound to propel the country to greatness since a country greatest assets are her people. As for the "Gah-Var-Men", love them too if they have the same sentimens but if not, CHANGE. I think I better refrain from continuing further as if I go on further, I feel that I am treading on thin ice. Abunai desu ne.

There is this expression/saying that I find inspiring and that will be the end of this post.

The people should not be afraid of their "Gah-Var-Men"

but its the

"Gah-Var-Men" that should be afraid of the people.