In recent weeks, there was a mix of feelings regarding the revival of the National Service Training Programme (PLKN) after it was abolished in 2018. While many talks were going on about what it would mean to have PLKN 3.0, many more reminisced about their times in camp.
Fostering unity, honing skills, building discipline
When news broke out about the revival of the National Service Training Programme (PLKN) in Malaysia, many ex-trainees who underwent training camps a decade ago took to social media to relive the moment.
The original programme was abolished in 2018, but recently, the Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, made the announcement to revive the PLKN. In an article published by Bernama, Mohamad opined that the training done during the PLKN can provide the youth with basic knowledge of nation-building.
Sharing his past experiences as a National Service trainee over a decade ago, Ryan Han disclosed that participating in the training had instilled in him the spirit of patriotism, along with many life lessons. The emcee and yoyo performer was a trainee in Kem Puncak Permai, Tondong, Bau in 2007.
Recalling the moment he was selected, he said that initially, he didn’t feel like going for the training. “However, when I was there, I had so much fun and in the end, I didn’t want to leave. Everyone felt like family. It was truly an experience that lasts a lifetime.”
As for the daily routine, Han described it as a “crazy” experience. “Trainees had to get up as early as 5am. As soon as we wake up, we had to make our bed as neatly as possible; otherwise, the commander checking it would flip the bed like a tsunami and have us all punished.
“Then we have to get ourselves ready for the field by 6am. We would sing the national anthem and the state anthem. After that, we would have our routine exercise, marching and obstacle course. We will be done by 8am, and that is when we’ll have our breakfast before our classes.”
After lunch, Han shared that there will be different activities every day, such as kayaking, firearms practice, flying fox and others. Some days, the Christians in PLKN would have a fellowship together in the evening.
Sharon Kwan, who joined PLKN in 2015, recalled a similar routine as Han. The 26-year-old added that at camp, the trainees were fed six times a day. “Though we exercise daily, I gained two kilogrammes after I returned from PLKN! My favourite day is Friday because we would have Hainan Chicken Rice for lunch.”
Kwan, who attended PLKN in Kem Juara, Serian, said that initially she wasn’t looking forward to going. “A lot of things went through my mind, but after a few weeks of settling down, I found myself having so much fun with new and old friends, enjoying the activities, and learning valuable life and practical lessons.
“I would say I have a totally different outlook on things after PLKN. At an age fresh out of school, having a will-strong interpersonal value and social conduct is important; without experiencing PLKN, I might have still struggled with having self-confidence and self-worth,” she commented.
Joining PLKN also had taught her the spirit of togetherness. As a person who treasures her ‘me time’, she learned that at times, it is nice to have company and do things together. “Even though it is in the most mundane things like watching the 8pm news in the television room or washing the laundry together.”
With PLKN set to be reinstated soon, Kwan believed that it would bring many valuable, positive attributes to young Malaysians. “In my opinion, the discipline, culture, and experiences that PLKN offers cannot be found elsewhere. I’ve also seen positive outcomes from attending PLKN.
“I have batchmates who became more interested in joining uniformed units, some discovering new skills and talents that are applicable in their current work environments, and some, like me, adding an amount of personal discipline to everything we do,” she shared.
Though the revival of PLKN this round would not be the same as the previous training, the defence minister believes that the new military-focused modules will build the participants into resilient, energetic, and healthy youths.
Mohamad added that PLKN 3.0 aims to prepare Malaysian youths with strong character and a deep love for their country, which will equip them for future employment in crucial government agencies such as the Royal Malaysian Police, the Fire and Rescue Department, and the Civil Defence Force.
