First and foremost, let me say that I support the proposed national service although I think it will fail in its desired objective of national unity.

I support the proposal because firstly, it will give the majority of our youth who lack exercise and organised activities some exposure to physical and social discipline, and secondly, it will force the issue of racial polarisation to the fore.

It is also interesting to see what the outcome of the project will be as the organising committees comprise mostly of people in ivory towers and are clueless about how deep racial polarisation has sunk and the magnitude of the mess they themselves have created. This national service will make it abundantly clear.

What I fear most is that the administrators will resort to further covering up the issues by actually making national service, such as other national solidarity projects like Rukun Tetangga, irrelevant and a waste of money.

If national service were to be meaningful, the youths of today will have to mix with each other and face issues such as how to eat, work and pray together, decide on rewards and punishment, etc. If the government believes that all these issues can be swept under the carpet amid a frenzy of physical and social activities and brainwashing, they will be surprised.

I believe all these national issues will be made even more glaring. Over time the youth who underwent national service will feel even more strongly for the political and social issues that beset this country.