KUALA LUMPUR: With the National Service Training Programme being revived, former trainees have spoken highly of their experiences.
Having taken part in the 2009 NS programme in Jugra in Banting, Phung Yie Wen told the New Straits Times how the three-month experience contributed to her growth as a more inclusive Malaysian and helped her step out of her comfort zone.
"Most of the time, Malaysians take pride in the multicultural society that we live in, but in reality, there is no effective communication. We were all living in our own circle, in a really racially-segregated manner.
"NS had a positive impact on my understanding of peers from different racial backgrounds, challenging certain racial stereotypes that I had held," she said.
Phung said she sincerely valued the opportunity to make new friends from various races during NS.
She recalled a period of racial tension following several general elections and was feeling helpless about the situation.
"I was telling my concern to my Muslim friend back in NS, making remarks that those racial issues being hyped up were not right. I am glad she understood where I was coming from," she added.
Remarkably, Phung's friendships from NS have endured to this day.
Meanwhile, 27-year-old risk management executive Qayyum Gustaf Halim said that the programme was the pinnacle point of his life in terms of instilling patriotism and the spirit of togetherness, regardless of skin colour and religious background.
He said many moments from his NS days are still etched in his memories.
"Being able to socialise, understand, and share experiences/stories with friends from various ethnic backgrounds, including Malays, Chinese, Indians, and people from Sabah and Sarawak.
"Fostering unity among these different ethnic groups for greater harmony and mutual understanding.
"Nurturing a sense of loyalty, pride, and love for the country. The NS programme also cultivates a teenager's sense of discipline, responsibility, and a high spirit of cooperation in every assigned task," he said.
Echoing Qayyum, 34-year-old Nadia Basran recalled her days being divided in groups and all her boarding school-like routines that she and her team had to do together, including waking up at a certain time, having breakfast together and many more.
"The team members were given group names like Alpha, Bravo, Charlie and Delta. You wake up, exercise, have breakfast, classes and activities, and at night there's a shift of some groups that need to guard certain areas starting from 12am to 3am," she said.
In showing that the connection built in the programme went beyond the gates of the camp, Nadia said that she was still in touch with her friends till today, 17 years after their NS stint.
Nur Sabrina Shah, a trainee at Kem Cahaya Gemilang, Cherating, in 2008, however, believes that more can to be done to instill patriotism in youths.
"It would be better for us to include patriotism as a part of the syllabus in schools so that by the end of their schooling period, patriotism would already be a part of them."
Earlier today, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan announced that NS would be making a comeback soon, pending approval from the National Security Council.
TIMELINE OF THE NATIONAL SERVICE PROGRAMME
May 28, 2003
- Cabinet approves a proposal to implement the National Service Programme and National Service Training Act 2003.
June 25, 2003
- The Dewan Rakyat passes the National Service Training Act bill.
July 7, 2003
- Dewan Negara approves the bill.
December 2003
- The three-month National Service (NS) Training Programme starts and is made compulsory for selected teenagers aged 18 and above. It encompasses physical activities and modules that impart nationhood knowledge, character development and community service.
- The NS's annual intake is between 85,000 to 95,000 trainees, with an average expenditure of RM600 million per year.
- The programme is handled by the National Service Training Department under the Defence Ministry
Jan 20, 2015
- The NS programme is temporarily halted due to cost-cutting measures.
2016
- It is resumed as the NS Training Programme 2.0 with about 20,000 trainees per year.
Aug 13, 2018
- The NS Training programme and National Civics Bureau programme are abolished under the Pakatan Harapan government. A minister cites concerns over racial indoctrination as one of the reasons for the removal of both initiatives.
Dec 5, 2018
- The government says it will implement the 'Malaysia Future Leaders School' programme to replace the NS. It will be held during school holidays and follows the summer camp concept.
Oct 9, 2023
- The Defence Minister tells Parliament that the NS programme will make a comeback after obtaining approval from the National Security Council.