DEFENCE Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin (pic) explains what the National Service Training Programme (PLKN) 3.0 is all about.

Q: Is the PLKN 3.0 a repeat of previous PLKNs?

A: No, this is a whole new evolution. PLKN 3.0 will use a three-phase ecosystem approach: pre-PLKN, basic training, and specialised training.

Q: Where will it be held?

A: The pre-PLKN phase will be held at schools, while the basic and specialised training phases will utilise government-based facilities including 13 army territorial camps, 20 public universities, 27 teacher training institutes and various polytechnics.

With minimal upgrades and maintenance, these army territorial camps can serve as training centres as they are already equipped with essential facilities like training halls, parade grounds, dormitories, and training rooms, along with established security systems.

Furthermore, using public universities allows potential national trainees who are university students to receive basic PLKN training without the need to attend the programme at the army territorial camp.

Q: How many participants will be chosen to be part of PLKN 3.0?

A: In the pre-PLKN Phase, about 398,000 Form Four students from national secondary schools will participate in the programme – through their co-curriculum activities in schools.

The basic PLKN training component expects to train more than 194,344 participants, with 25,000 trainees distributed across 13 army territorial camps through four intakes of recruitment annually.

There will be 31,872 uniformed students and 61,344 non-uniformed students from 20 public universities. Further participation includes 92,000 students from 33 polytechnics, 6,000 students from 27 teacher training institutes and 10,000 students from general skills training institutes and industrial training institutes.

Q: What are the actions that will be put in place to ensure that there will be no tragic mishaps or mismanagement as in previous PLKNs?A: Enhanced safety protocols and a proactive approach will ensure that potential hazards are identified and addressed before they can impact participants.

Secondly, all staff and trainers will undergo rigorous training in essential areas such as safety procedures, first aid and crisis management.

There will be regular audits and inspections of all training facilities and training programmes.

To further aid participants, support systems will be established, including access to counselling and mental health services, along with feedback mechanisms for trainees and their families.

Moreover, transparency and accountability will be emphasised among all stakeholders with clear communication channels. There will be collaboration with experts in safety and training to develop best practices tailored to the unique environment of PLKN.

Finally, clear guidelines and policies will be developed and disseminated regarding participant conduct, safety procedures and reporting mechanisms for any incidents.

Q: Who is eligible for the basic training and specialised training phases?

A: For the basic training and specialised training phases, eligible national trainees must be 18 years of age and registered in the national database with a Malaysian identification card – both locally born and overseas-born Malaysian citizens. Selected national trainees will be informed through official mail sent to their registered address or they can check on the website or SMS.

Q: Who will manage PLKN 3.0?

A: PLKN 3.0 operates through coordination between the National Service Programme Department and various other government agencies.

Q: What are the modules of PLKN 3.0?

A: PLKN 3.0, collaboratively designed by the Defence Ministry (Mindef), Higher Education Ministry and Education Ministry, incorporates a strategic allocation of 70% basic military training and 30% national education modules.

The programme serves as a strategic platform where young people from various racial, religious and cultural backgrounds can interact, understand and appreciate their differences while recognising their shared Malaysian identity.

Q: Why did the government decide to bring it forward to January, rather than in mid-2025?A: By starting the programme earlier, the government has established a crucial testing period to assess and refine various operational aspects before full-scale implementation. This early rollout, involving one Army territorial camp with 200 national service trainees, serves as a pilot phase to evaluate the programme’s effectiveness.

The advanced timeline allows authorities to thoroughly assess several critical areas – management requirements, training components, facilities and logistical support.

Q: Will the Defence Ministry be entirely responsible for PLKN 3.0?A: As the Defence Ministry, the responsibility for PLKN 3.0 is specifically focused on the PLKN basic training phase of the programme.

The pre-PLKN phase falls under the purview of the Education Ministry, which takes primary responsibility for its implementation and core management. During that phase, this ministry will receive support from military personnel who will assist in certain aspects of the phase, but the overall administration and execution remain under the ministry’s direction and aspiration.

This division of responsibilities and collaboration between the ministries and Mindef reflects a collaborative approach while maintaining clear lines of accountability.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/11/13/safety-protocols-support-systems-and-feedback-vital