NS training programme now widely accepted, says Zahid

SIBU (Jan 27, 2012) : The National Service (NS) Training Programme is now widely accepted and trusted by parents for the positive effect it has on their children, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today.

When it was introduced in 2004, the level of confidence was not there, he added.

"After its third year, we have proven that the module introduced to the participants has managed to change, and for the better, not only their mindset but also their attitudes. Parents began to have a higher level of confidence in it," he told a news conference after launching the Group 1 Series 9/2012 session at the Junaco NS Training Camp at Ulu Oya Road, here.

Dr Zahid said that even DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang has seen how his granddaughter, who was sent to the Balik Pulau camp, has changed for the better after attending the programme.

"His (Kit Siang's) son and Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng also told me of the positive effect of the programme on his daughter, and thanked me for it. Even though the opposition never says anything positive about it, we know that deep in their hearts they recognise our efforts," he said.

So far, some 60,000 trainees have attended the three-month programme at 81 camps nationwide.

Dr Zahid also said that the National Service Volunteer Brigade will be launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Feb 4 in Felda Chini, Pekan, Pahang.

He said the brigade is open to all former NS trainees. About 15,000 have signed up for it so far.

"Members will be deployed in times of need during natural disasters such as floods, landslides and fires. Uniforms will be provided, and we are studying the kind of incentives to be given, even though they are volunteers," he said.

He did not discount the possibility of the brigade, when it has enough manpower, equipment and funds one day, sending its members to assist countries in the region facing natural disasters.

In this connection, he said, the Malaysian armed forces are forming a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) team, and Malaysia has a World Food Programme depot at Subang, Selangor.

"We can synchronise for the brigade to carry out these activities and their role will not clash with the Territorial Army, but rather complement and supplement it," he said. - Bernama