The Malaysian Youth Council (MYC) supported the implementation of compulsory national service but wants the government to be sensitive to the different cultural and religious needs of those taking part in the programme.

Its president Dr Mohd Khir Toyo said the council had conveyed their views on this matter to Defence Minister Najib Abdul Razak in a meeting at his ministry in Kuala Lumpur today.

"We had suggested to him to consider integration and unity among the various races in the country as well as their respective racial and religious sensitivities," Mohd Khir said during a press conference after the meeting.

The cabinet committee on national service on Tuesday proposed that every Malaysian upon reaching the age of 18 in 2004 is required to undergo six months of compulsory national service.

According to government officials, the primary aim of national service is to instill the spirit of patriotism and discipline among Malaysian youths.

Real unity

Mohd Khir, who is also Selangor Mentri Besar, explained that different sensitivities such as food and religious activities should be taken in account.

He cited the example of Hindus and others who could not consume beef. Likewise, those from other faiths should have their respective religious activities when Muslims perform their prayers.

"With this, they will feel real unity within the six months," Mohd Khir said.

MYC also recommended that the national service camps should reflect the true ethnic composition of Malaysia.

"Maybe it could be 60 percent Malays, 30 per cent Chinese and 10 percent Indians in every place so that a true Malaysian race could be formed. We do not want a camp where everyone is Malay or there are too few Chinese or Indians," he said.

A balanced composition of minority ethnic groups would put them at ease and they would be more willing to open up and give their views in bigger groups, he added.

MYC is the umbrella body of 39 organisations which include major youth groups such as the Malaysian scouts and girl guides movements, and Puteri Islam.

In response to the council's suggestion, Najib gave the assurance that ethnic and religious plurality would be emphasised in the national service.

"That is one of the resolutions we made in our first meeting," he said, referring to the cabinet committee's first meeting on Tuesday.