KUALA LUMPUR: Only teenagers born in 2007 will be called to undergo the National Service Training Programme (PLKN) if it is implemented in 2024.
The Defence Ministry (MINDEF) in a statement said trainees would be selected according to a specific year of birth at the start of PLKN 3.0.
“In principle, the government has agreed to reintroduce PLKN with a revised method under PLKN 3.0 in line with the National Service Training Act 2003 (Act 628). “For example, if PLKN 3.0 is implemented in 2024, then only teenagers who were born in 2007 will be called to undergo the training,” the statement clarified.
The statement said that if the selected trainees were unable to participate in PLKN for a valid reason, they could apply for a postponement.
“The maximum limit to become a trainee is up to the age of 35. MINDEF hopes that this explanation can resolve the confusion and annoyance of the public regarding the age determination of PLKN 3.0 trainees,” according to MINDEF. In October, the government agreed to resume PLKN which was abolished in 2018 using a different training approach, with young people undergoing training at military camps.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan is reported to have said that 13 Territorial Army camps will be used for training for a period of 45 days which can accommodate up to 4,000 trainees. – BERNAMA
