Debate on the NS Training Program Act by YB Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui

Kuala Lumpur, 2009 Jun 16 - "The National Service Training Program (PLKN) has been implemented for 5 years now, but there are still weaknesses in the programme urgently needed to be improved. The matters of concern include substandard camp facilities, safety, hygiene and cleanliness posing health hazards, lack of professionalism of training personnel, discipline problems of the trainees and, most importantly, the unexplained mysterious deaths of a number of participants.

"Despite much assurance from the authority concerned, it is regretted that there are still few incidences of deaths this year. The public and parents are still doubtful about the level of security and safety in PLKN camps.

"It's therefore important to regain the confidence of the public, especially parents, because an extra death now will be too many to make the program effective and successful in its objectives.

"I urge the PLKN authority and its chairman to implement the following proposals:

(1) There should be a more flexible approach to the families of the death participants, because parents who had been traumatized by the death of one of their children would not allow any more of their children to attend the PLKN.

As reported on 1 Jan. 2009, Ahmad Al-Hashiemi, aged 18, fell into a monsoon drain at Selema PLKN camp and was treated for shoulder pains at the camp's medical centre. But he went into a coma after being diagnosed with lung infection and died later. His father who was traumatized by the tragedy would not allow any more of his children to attend PLKN camp.

Ricky, aged 20, died on September 2008, 9 days after completing the PLKN training. Cause of his death was not identified. His sister Jane, aged 17, was given a 3 years' deferment due to the loss of her brother. But her parents really would not allow her to join PLKN training anyway, lest they lose another one of their children.

I felt it did not make much difference to the PLKN program if she is granted special permission not to attend PLKN camp because she has to work to look after her disabled father and mother. In view of the number of special cases, I urge the PLKN to allow exemptions for the other children in the affected families on compassionate ground.

I also urge the PLKN to provide a white paper of inquiry into the causes of the deaths, this is the least they can do to respect and relieve part of the pains suffered by the families.

I wish to know what further actions and measures have been taken by the PLKN to prevent further deaths since some of the deaths were said to be avoidable.

I also urge the PLKN to take extra measures to seek better medical treatments and also to inform the families once a participant has encountered accidents or health problems in order to achieve a "zero death" in PLKN.

(2) Cases of Indiscipline, especially fighting and crimes, have been reported as rampant in schools and PLKN camps. We regret to read from the papers on 15 March 2009 that a participant in a Penang PLKN camp sustained injuries with 8 stitches in the head and fingers and now suffered a speech problem, after he was attacked by another participant at the camp. During his previous attendance in a PLKN camp in Perlis, he reported many cases of indiscipline to the authority, but unfortunately no action has been taken at all. I urge the authority to view this problem seriously.

Many of these participants with discipline problems who had caused bodily injuries to others should be removed immediately and placed in a special camp to focus on discipline training. This will serve a deterrent warning to others and will prevent injuries and disturbances to other participants.

(3) I urge the PLKN to consider the intake of participants of school dropouts before they reach the age of 18, They should also be given an equal opportunity to participate to attain the objectives of PLKN.

These young school dropouts may have left school after the PMR examination or at other levels of their secondary school education due to a number of reasons, be it family problems, disinterest in academic studies or discipline problems. But being young and easily influenced by their peers, they are especially susceptible to be influenced by bad elements in the society. The result may be an increase in the number of delinquent juveniles, social problems and crimes.

I feel very strongly that these young school dropouts should be given an equal opportunity for PLKN training where they could be given discipline training and character building in line with the PLKN objectives.

Their inclusion in the PLKN would be beneficial to both the nation and society, apart from the direct benefits enjoyed by them."