http://dapmalaysia.org  

Criminal sanctions against those who oppose the National Service programme is most undemocratic and must be dropped from the National Service Training Bill 2003   Media Statement by Loke Siew Fook (PEtaling Jaya, Tuesday): Under section 29 (b) of the National Service Training Bill 2003 which was presented to the Dewan Rakyat for first reading this morning, anyone who “incite” others to oppose the National Service programme under the Act is committing a criminal offence and punishable with a fine of not more than ten thousands ringgit or jailed not more than two years or both.  Section 29 (b) of the bill reads, “Mana-mana orang yang- menghasut mana-mana orang supaya membantah latihan khidmat negara di bawah Akta ini, melakukan suatu kesalahan dan apabila disabitkan boleh didenda tidak melebihi sepuluh ribu ringgit atau dipenjarakan selama tempoh tidak melebihi dua tahun atau kedua-duanya.”   DAPSY strongly opposes this clause as it is most undemocratic and unfair to punish those who do not agree with the implementation of the National Service. Furthermore, the wordings of this clause can create vast interpretations. How is it defined by “inciting” others to oppose the National Service? Is it through public statements, speeches, memorandums or demonstrations? It is not just undemocratic but a further step to clamp down on freedom of expressions in the country. Yesterday, DAP National Chairman, Sdr. Lim Kit Siang has asked that whether those who question the National Service will be labeled as anti-national. He asked “have we reached a stage where those who question whether the National Service Training Bill is the best or even proper way to instil national unity, patriotism and discipline among our youths can be automatically targetted, tarred and defamed as unpatriotic, disloyal and anti-national?”. It is clear that the whole legislation on the National Service is harsh and to create fear among the people not to continue to debate about the rationale of the programme but just follow blindly whatever the government plans to do.  DAPSY has stated that sense of patriotism and national unity should be instilled into the heart of our young generation through education and not by threat of criminal sanctions. Under section 18 (1), 19 (1) and 19 (2) of the bill, those selected but did not attend, those who are attending the programme but absent without permission and those who try to get those who are attending the programme not to attend without permission are all punishable with a RM3,000 fine or six-month jail or both. It means that not only the youths who do not want to attend the programme but even parents who do not wish to send their children for the programme will be subject to criminal sanctions. This is most unacceptable not only to the youths concerned but even to their parents who have no say whatsoever if their children are selected by the computer! Instead of allowing a full public debate nationwide among the youths concerned, parents, civil society and political parties to reach a national consensus whether the proposed National Service programme is the best way to enhance patriotism and instill national unity for our younger generation or is there any other alternatives, it is clear that the government is trying to rush through the bill and get it rubber-stamped by the two-third lazy, irresponsible and uncritical Barisan Nasional “yes-men” in the Dewan Rakyat. Once it is passed, there will be no turning point and all public opinions not in favor of the National Service programme will be clamped down. All opposition MPs must be united in the debate to oppose the bill in the second reading and try to turn the table around although it is a very tall order. (17/6/2003) *  Loke Siew Fook,  DAPSY National Secretary