Compulsory national service is the single most audacious attack on the liberty of Malaysians since Merdeka, second perhaps to the New Economic Policy. No government should be able to coerce its non-criminal, non-employed citizens to do anything for any length of time for any purpose whatsoever, including the 'defence' of the nation.

Not only are there problems with infringement on freedoms, but national service makes a number of assumptions. It assumes that our youth would or could not be doing something that could be more useful to the defence of the nation. It assumes that our youth need to be told how to be patriotic. It assumes that our youth are insufficiently integrated or tolerant. No government should make such blanket assumptions.

There might be some who fall into those categories. And even if we agree that such people are 'deficient' in some way, then at least there should be selection methods to identify these particular people and to 'rectify' their 'problems'. Random selection is all the more odious because it can shatter the plans and dreams of thousands simply because they don't know whether or not they will be selected.

At least in most other countries which institute national service, there are specific criteria e.g. 'all male eighteen year-olds', enabling those affected to plan their lives well in advance. Also, they are able to go with their friends and begin national service in the spirit of camaraderie. To be extracted from one's friends as an adolescent is not a pleasant experience, and potentially life-shattering, especially for those who aren't able to rejoin education with their friends in the same academic year after national service because they're in private institutions and hence follow different academic year dates.

The government, in its arrogance and/or incompetence, has completely failed to take into account those in private education, and students stand to lose out on valuable time in an era when competition for top jobs is fervent. Some students just need to spend time with their families every holiday because that is how they've grown up and won't be able to function in the environment that national service will put them in. That the government thinks national service is useful, is simply not justification enough. It is offensive to think that education is being sacrificed for some field activities.

National service in Malaysia is not comparable to that in other countries. It is different in form, function and justification. Singapore, for example, has a small population and hence the number of those who would enter the armed forces voluntarily is likely to be smaller, aside from its position as the 'Israel of Southeast Asia'. South Korea's historical circumstances demonstrate the need for national service there.

Our national service is a six-month course designed to enhance our youth and our nation. Rakan Muda didn't work; national service will be an unmitigated disaster. Tolerance, discipline and ultimately progress stem from enlightenment and trust, not enforced courses. I can only dream that there will be a massive refusenik movement, but alas, the Malaysian youth, disenfranchised and in a state of hopelessness and fear (ISA for refuseniks?) will grit their teeth and bear it. To them I offer my most heartfelt sympathies.

Oh, and what a good deal Xybase and the mobile phone operators made from this.