The revamped National Service programme is a key link between youth parliament initiatives and leadership development, with a focus on national integration and character building

KUALA LUMPUR: The reintroduced National Service Training Programme (PLKN 3.0) is set to become a crucial stepping stone for Malaysia’s future leaders, linking the Sekolah Parlimen initiative with the Youth Parliament, said Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul.

“After Sekolah Parlimen, the next step is PLKN. It is part of a sequence,” he added.

Although PLKN falls under the Defence Ministry, Johari noted that Parliament plays a direct role through its select committee on defence.

“We have a select committee on defence here in Parliament. Through this committee, together with a secretariat formed in Parliament, we work closely with the Defence Ministry to plan and implement the programme,” he explained.

The programme targets students who have completed their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examinations and are awaiting results.

During this interim period, they undergo 45 days of structured training at military camps nationwide.

“We are not talking about private camps. We are talking about military camps run by soldiers,” Johari said.

Participants will be grouped in batches of about 250, with plans to use up to 18 military camps across the country.

Each cohort will reflect Malaysia’s multi-ethnic composition.

“They will not be grouped by race. It will be a combination, Malay, Chinese, Indian, Iban, everyone together,” he said.

For some students, this may be the first time they interact meaningfully with peers from different ethnic and educational backgrounds.

“Some may come from Chinese schools, Tamil schools, sekolah agama, tahfiz institutions or international schools. They may never have mixed before.

“Now, for the first time, they congregate in one place, a military camp. They wear the same uniform, eat the same food and make their own beds,” Johari said.

The core aim of the programme is leadership formation and national integration.

“This is where we instil leadership qualities, how to think like a leader, how to behave like a leader and how to be patriotic as a Malaysian.

“The most important element is bonding. Bonding does not happen by chance, someone has to put them together. That someone is the Defence Ministry,” he added.

Johari described the 45-day programme as an intensive character-building experience designed to prepare youths for civic participation and eventual leadership roles.

When asked about key performance indicators, he said assessment would combine qualitative feedback with data-driven evaluation.

“First, we look at before and after. How do they feel after 45 days? The participants themselves must be truthful. Did they benefit?”

Surveys indicate strong approval rates.

“Eighty-five per cent said the programme was very beneficial. The remaining 15% did not say it was bad, they said it was too short and wanted it extended. If you combine that, it is effectively 100% positive.”

Feedback from parents is also incorporated into evaluations.

“We ask parents: how were your children before they went in and how are they after they return? Many say the change is significant, more disciplined, more independent,” Johari said.

Some participants from affluent backgrounds expressed appreciation for the structured discipline.

“They say, ‘At home everything was served to me. Here I must do everything myself.’ That discipline is something they value,” he added.

Johari contrasted PLKN 3.0 with earlier iterations, highlighting improved cost efficiency.

“Previously, we spent about RM800 million a year. Under the present system, we expect about RM100 million. With that allocation, the outcomes are very encouraging,” he said, noting he was not criticising past programmes but welcoming improvements.

“As someone observing this programme closely, I am very happy. The Defence Ministry has done a wonderful job,” Johari said.

 The Sun Malaysia