Press Statement
by DAP Secretary General and MP for Kota Melaka, Kerk Kim Hock
in Petaling Jaya
on Monday, 4.11.2002

National service: Government should seek views of all political parties as well as NGOs to achieve consensus on the types and forms of the national service to be introduced

It was with an unusual speed that the Cabinet has decided to introduce national service in the country, as it was only a few days ago that the Prime Minister brought up the proposal at the Patriotism Congress on 26.10.2002.

It has always been the DAP's position to support the introduction of compulsory military national service as we believe that this is one way to enable all races to undergo the necessary training and play their role in the defence of their beloved country.

In fact, in the present sessions of Parliament, I have, while reacting to comments that non-Malays are not keen to join the army, called on government politicians not to politicise or racialise the low percentage of non-Malays in the army.

I have said that if there is an attempt to politicise or racialise such an issue, then I challenge that compulsory military national service be introduced so that such unfair accusations along racial lines can be effectively stopped and the problem of low non- Malay participation in the army can also be solved.

DAP has in fact in the past suggested the introduction of the national service. However, it now appears that the national service idea mooted may not be the kind of military national service that has been generally understood by the Malaysian public.

As such, amidst confusion that it may be a military, semi military and non-military national service, the government must shed more light on its plan and in particular, clarify its objectives, as the nature, type, scope and duration of the national service will be determined by the objectives.

What is, however, most important is that if the national service is not going to be a completely military type, it must be one which is the product of consensus of all political parties and non governmental organisations, in particular, the youth bodies.

As such, I urge the Committee headed by the Defence Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak, not to be hasty in making its proposals but should instead seek the views of all political parties as well as NGOs so as to achieve national consensus on the most suitable type of national service to be implemented in Malaysia.