Deferred trainees to attend NS programmes next year

2009/10/16

Audrey Dermawan

BALIK PULAU: Some 20,000 people who had deferred their National Service training since 2004 have been told to attend the programme next year.

National Service Training Department director-general Datuk Abdul Hadi Awang Kechil said the deferment period had expired for these people and they would now have to attend the programme.

They had asked for the deferment in order to further their studies.

Hadi said the trainees and their parents had already been notified, adding that they would be divided into three sessions.

The first session will begin in January, the second in March and the third in June.

Speaking at a Hari Raya open house at the White Resort NS camp here today, Hadi said the department would also issue letters to 6,800 NS shirkers telling them to report for training.

“This is despite the fact that they will be charged in court. We will call them back although they have undergone the 240-hour community service penalty. There should be no reason for them to dodge the NS training,” he said.

More than 140,000 trainees will attend the NS programme beginning next January in all 83 camps nationwide.

On changes in the training module for the NS programme, Hadi said they would be done based on changes in times, strategy and experience — all of which are aimed at creating the country's future leaders.