The government has been criticised for not making public the 'modified' national service proposal, due for tabling in Dewan Rakyat which begins its session o­n March 10.

"The government has said it will get public feedback o­n the proposal. But now, after few months, out of the blue, (Deputy Defence Minister) Mohd Shafie (Apdal) said they have come back with modifications and want to table the bill," said DAP Youth (Dapsy) national secretary Loke Siew Fook ( photo ) when contacted yesterday.

"If the bill is tabled, it will definitely be passed since Barisan Nasional has two-third majority (in the House)," he added.

The media quoted Mohd Shafie last Thursday as saying that the modified proposal will be soon tabled and that Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Dr Rais Yatim will elaborate o­n its details.

Public participation

In the initial proposal revealed last Nov, the programme was to start in 2004, lasting six months and involving all youths aged 18 or students who have completed their SPM examinations.

Defence Minister Najib Abdul Razak and other senior ministers also met several youth organisations to hear their views o­n the proposed service.

However, Loke, who has voiced reservations over the initial proposal, said the public should be told how much time they have for feedback.

"This is to ensure public participation and to allow their views and suggestions to be channeled to the government. And even after modifications have been made to the proposal, another period should be given for feedback.

"As Shafie said (in media reports), we still have a long time before the implementation, so every concerned party should be fully consulted, and we should not rush into it like now. I call o­n the ministries involved and Dr Rais to delay the tabling of the Bill," Loke said.

Around 450,000 young Malaysians will be affected by the implementation of the national service.

Two meetings

When contacted yesterday, PAS Youth chief Mahfuz Omar, who has voiced concern over the proposal when it was first made public last year, echoed Loke's views.

Mahfuz said the national service should be studied thoroughly and take into account the views of academicians and historians.

The member of Parliament for Pokok Sena added that the consultation should also involve the grassroots, and not just some of the "elite youths".

"We want to know what is the motive and purpose for the national service to instil the spirit of patriotism, or maybe it is just politically motivated? We want the government to explain," he said.

"The government (cannot) table the Bill and proceed with it o­nly after two meetings held by the committee," he added, referring to the special cabinet committee set up to study the proposal.

Headed by Najib, the committee met for the third time yesterday and announced that the modified proposal will be submitted to the cabinet for approval soon. They previously met o­n Nov 12 last year and Jan 7.

The committee is comprised of five ministers and two deputy ministers from the ministries of defence, home, education, housing and local government, and the Prime Minister's Department.

Four sub-committees namely legislative, curriculum, financial and logistic were also set up to draft out the details.

Multiracial factor

Meanwhile, an influential youth movement, the Malaysian Young Graduate Society, was also caught in the dark with the latest development.

Chairperson Quek Ngee Meng, a curriculum sub-committee member *[correction] , said he was unaware of the modified proposal.

He was also shocked that the proposal will be tabled in such a short period.

"I hope the proposal will be an acceptable o­ne for our multiracial society and respects the opinions of every quarter," he said.

The Prime Minister's Department and Defence Ministry could not be reached for comment.

Patriotism

The government approved a study o­n national service in early November last year. The programme aims to instil the spirit of patriotism and build character in young Malaysians.

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

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

A law will be introduced to compel all Malaysian youths including women and students studying abroad do the national service. o­nly those medically unfit may be exempted. Others who try to avoid it will face legal punishment under the act.

* CORRECTION : It has been brought to our attention that Quek Ngee Meng is not a member of the curriculum sub-committee. We apologise for the error.