http://dapmalaysia.org  

Careful thought must be given to the compulsory six-month national service proposal Media Statement by John Chung (Petaling Jaya, Wednesday): Yesterday, the Cabinet Committee on National Service unveiled a proposal for a six-month compulsory national service for all Malaysians who reach 18 years of age. While the concept of a national service stint appears to be a constructive one, nonetheless there are fundamental questions that need to be addressed.  The proposal appears to be the outcome of a rather hasty process, only a few weeks after the idea was first mooted. There is clearly insufficient consultation with non-governmental organizations, political parties and other interested groups especially when the Committee seeks to make national service a compulsory one. It is therefore pertinent that more consultations are held since any decision on national service will affect a great number of young Malaysians.   There are also doubts as to whether three-fold objectives of the programme – to instill and promote the spirit of patriotism, to emphasize unity and national integration and to mould individuals into better human beings – can be effectively realized considering the short duration of only six months.   Everyone will agree that the process of instilment of positive qualities must begin at a young age when the character of our youth is being molded and not at such a late stage. That is why emphasis must be given to the cultivation of these qualities by parents and teachers in the hearts of our young generation right from the start. Only if there is such awareness from early on will the desired aims of the proposed national service be successful – in strengthening the values which are already ingrained at an early age.   Besides, a comprehensive and quality curriculum for national service must also be formulated. The activities involved must have a correlation with the aspired objectives. For instance, the Defence Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak stated that some form of regimentation have to be introduced without which character cannot be built. This is not necessarily correct as character is formed primarily through religious and moral convictions and role-modeling.   Hence, it is best the Government tread carefully on this whole idea of national service by seriously giving thought to the various issues involved and taking into account the views of all concerned, particularly the youth themselves, so that any decision taken will be in the best interest of all Malaysians.   (13/11/2002) * John Chung, DAP National Publicity Bureau Assistant Secretary and PJ DAP Socialist Youth Chief