Nobody including women and students studying abroad is exempted from the proposed national service expected to start in 2004, said Defence Minister Najib Abdul Razak today.

He said a law will be introduced to compel all Malaysian youths do the national service and those who try to avoid it will face legal punishment under the act.

All youths aged 18 or students who have completed their SPM examinations will have to complete the proposed six-month long national service programme.

He said women who now enjoy equal rights as men under the amended Federal Constitution will also be included in the programme.

Asked about Science, Technology and Environment Minister Law Hieng Ding's earlier proposal to exclude Science and Technology students from the service to encourage more students to take up the two courses, Najib said no exemption would be granted to any student groups, including those studying abroad.

"They must go (for national service), otherwise they won't be allowed in this country. They would not able to escape from the legislation," he stressed.

"Only those with certified health problems could be considered for exemption," said Najib at a press conference after convening the special cabinet committee meeting held in his office on the national service scheme in Kuala Lumpur.

First meeting

The committee, set up two weeks ago, was meeting for the first time. Four sub-committees namely legislative, curriculum, financial and logistic were set up to draft out details of the national service.

All members in the special cabinet committee with the exception of Education Minister Musa Mohamed attended the three-hour long meeting.

Najib heads the committee which comprises five ministers and two deputy ministers from the ministries of defence, home, education, housing and local government, and the Prime Minister's Department.

The national service programme will run in three stages: the pre-national service which will be under the responsibility of the education ministry to emphasise the core value of the policy, national service and follow-up action to encourage students in voluntary work or non-governmental organisations.

"The second meeting of this special cabinet committee will probably fall in Jan 7 next year and the four sub-committees will submit their reports of their study at that time," Najib said.

The government approved the national service two weeks ago to instil the spirit of patriotism and character-building such as confidence and leadership among young Malaysians.

It also aims to enhance racial integration, civic consciousness and unity among the people.

Marching, shooting basics

The minister said military training like marching drills and basic shooting skills will cover only 20 to 30 percent of the overall six-month programme.

"It is not specifically designed to counter any threats or terrorism, so it would not be in terms of military training," he said.

He reiterated today's proposals were only at the initial stage.

"This is not final and there might be amendments, (but) it is good to let the public or organisations know about them. These will be the basis for their discussions and we can gain feedback from them," he said.

Meanwhile, Najib said Malaysia had received the US proposals on the anti-terrorism centre but refused to divulge any details.

"The foreign ministry is handling the proposal, I can't tell anything now," he said.

The concept of anti-terrorism centre was firstly proposed by US secretary of state Colin Powell during his visit to Malaysia recently.

The proposal was later approved by the Malaysian government and the centre will be set up early next year.