PLKN 3.0 Officially Begins: A New Era for National Service Training in Malaysia

Background and Objectives

The National Service Training Programme (PLKN) 3.0 officially began on [date] after a seven-year hiatus, with over 130 volunteer trainees from all over the country reporting in at the Territorial Army’s 515 Regiment Camp in Kuala Lumpur. The programme aims to instill patriotism, national unity, and character in youth in Malaysia, as well as equip them with the strength to face life’s challenges through physical and mental training.

Training Modules and Duration

The trainees, aged 18 to 20, will undergo military and statehood training for 45 days until February 25. The training modules will include physical training, statehood training, character building, and community service. The programme is designed to develop the trainees’ physical and mental abilities, as well as their sense of responsibility and social skills.

Implementation and Phases

The re-implementation of the programme is being conducted in stages, with the trial phase currently underway. After the trial period, the next phase of the programme will be conducted at 13 Territorial Army camps, 20 public universities, 33 polytechnics, 27 teacher training institutes, and several public skill/industrial training institutes throughout the country.

History of PLKN

The PLKN was first introduced in December 2003 as a three-month programme with training modules that included physical, statehood, character building, and community service. The programme was initially successful, with 85,000 to 95,000 trainees annually, and an average expenditure of RM600 million annually. However, the programme was stopped for a year in 2015 due to an expenditure rationalisation measure and reintroduced in 2016 as PLKN 2.0 with only about 20,000 trainees a year. The programme was abolished in August 2018.

Conclusion

The re-implementation of the PLKN 3.0 marks a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to develop its youth and promote national unity. The programme aims to equip young Malaysians with the skills and values necessary to face the challenges of the 21st century, and to contribute to the country’s development and progress.

FAQs

Q: What is the purpose of the PLKN 3.0?
A: The purpose of the PLKN 3.0 is to instill patriotism, national unity, and character in youth in Malaysia, as well as equip them with the strength to face life’s challenges through physical and mental training.

Q: Who are eligible to participate in the PLKN 3.0?
A: The programme is open to Malaysian citizens aged 18 to 20.

Q: What are the training modules included in the PLKN 3.0?
A: The training modules include physical training, statehood training, character building, and community service.

Q: How long is the training period for the PLKN 3.0?
A: The training period for the PLKN 3.0 is 45 days.

Q: Where will the next phase of the programme be conducted?
A: The next phase of the programme will be conducted at 13 Territorial Army camps, 20 public universities, 33 polytechnics, 27 teacher training institutes, and several public skill/industrial training institutes throughout the country.