NS TRAINING PROGRAMME TO CONTINUE, SAYS NAJIB

KUALA LUMPUR, May 14 (Bernama) -- The government is to continue with the National Service Training Programme despite calls to scrap it following the deaths of 16 trainees since the programme was launched in 2004.

In announcing the continuation of the programme, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the number of deaths was a small percentage compared to the 339,186 trainees who had benefited from the programme up to now.

He also said that 11 of the trainees had died during training and five during their holiday break. Of the 11 deaths, seven were caused by ailments and four were due to accidents, he added.

Najib, who is also the Defence Minister, said the programme would be continued because it could achieve the national aspiration of uniting all the races and communities in the country.

"This programme is important for fostering a strong Malaysian solidarity, building up a united resilience and practising noble values," he said when winding up debate for the Defence Ministry on the motion of thanks for the royal address in the Dewan Rakyat Wednesday.

Najib said that as such the proposal for voluntary participation in the programme by youths or school leavers was inappropriate as this would result in people of only one community taking part as the others would be disinterested.

Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) and Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah) often interrupted Najib during his explanation, calling for the programme to be scrapped because it did not bring any benefit and had lost the support of parents following the deaths of trainees.

Fong suggested that the programme be opened to volunteers instead of the random selection of participants as was the practice now.

Najib hit out at certain quarters which were insistent on seeing the programme fail and be scrapped, saying that on the other hand the people of Singapore gave full support to their almost similar national service programme.

"Many more trainees have died in Singapore but the people of Singapore give more importance to national interests," he said, sending the House into a commotion.

Najib said support for the programme from voluntary applicants was growing, with 1,137 this year compared to only 929 last year.

The deputy prime minister said the government would continue to upgrade the level of safety and infrastructure at the national service training camps, and give particular attention to the health of the participants.

Najib expressed sadness over the death of trainee Too Hui Min, 18, from the Geo Kosmo Camp in Kuala Kubu Baharu last Thursday at the Slim River Hospital after she had complained of stomachache.

He also said that the government was considering making it mandatory for trainees to undergo a medical test to ascertain their health status before starting training.