Several youth organisations have welcomed the government's proposal to start compulsory national service for teenagers, which is scheduled to start in 2004.

Malaysian Youth Council (MYC) secretary-general Norizan Sharif said the service was a good idea and must concentrate on building race relations.

"Racial unity is very important and should be the focus of national service. Although it is not really a problem, we should not be too complacent and take things for granted," he said when contacted.

Norizan added the proposed national service must not "operate in isolation" and should include NGOs and uniformed groups as well.

MYC suggested the inclusion of NGOs and uniformed groups to Defence Minister and chairperson of the cabinet committee on national service Najib Tun Razak at a meeting on Thursday.