The proposed provision the National Service Training Bill 2003 to criminalise criticism would be a violation of the basic objective of the Rukun Negara to uphold democracy in the country, said DAP chairperson Lim Kit Siang today.

He said the five basic principles of the Rukun Negara - which are to belief in God, have loyalty to the King and country, uphold the constitution, abide by the rule of law and to have good behaviour and morality - are to maintain a "democratic way of life".

As such, he said that punitive actions proposed to curb criticisms against the bill would "run afoul" of this aim as they would further suppress already limited space for freedom of speech and expression in the country.

"Clause 29(b) could disenfranchise a Malaysian from standing for elective office or disqualify an elected member of Parliament or state assembly member if they oppose the national service programme after the bill is passed and becomes law," he said.

Under Section 29(b), it is proposed that anyone who instigates others to oppose the national service programme is deemed to have committed an offense punishable by a maximum fine of RM10,000 or jail term of up to two years, or both.

Ulterior agenda?

Lim questioned the decision by the government to widen the net of individuals eligible for the programme from 19-year-olds to any citizen or permanent resident between the ages of 16 to 35.

"The entire concept of the national service training (was said to have been intended) to make up for the failure of the education system to foster national unity, patriotism and discipline.

"(But the) completely changed character (of the programme) to rope in Malaysians between the ages of 16 to 35 raises the question of whether it has a larger ulterior agenda," he said without elaborating further.

The veteran politician also raised issue over the stiff penalties proposed to deal with individuals who fail to participate in the programme.

"Why would a legislation to inculcate patriotism and national unity and which has nothing to do with national defence be studded with so many criminal sanctions and custodial offences?"

Lim referred to Sections 18 and 19 of the proposed bill which states that those selected but do not attend and those who try to stop those selected from attending would be liable to a fine of RM3,000 or six-month jail term or both.

He also picked out Sections 27, 28 and 29 which spell out fines and jail terms of between two years to 10 years for those who carry out actions which may cause a selected individual to become "unsuitable" to undergo training.

Selected details

Lim said the drafters of the bill should return to the drawing board to consider these issues before it is pushed through in Parliament next week.

"It is a misnomer to talk about 'national service' when the three-month programme envisaged presently has nothing to do with national defence," he said.

Parliament yesterday heard the first reading of the National Service Training Bill 2003 which is expected to be debated during the present sitting.

Selected details of the plan were only unveiled last Friday by Defence Minister Najib Tun Razak who said the scheme would involve basic military training, and lessons in patriotism and personal development.

The proposed programme has already come under fire from civil society and opposition groups for the change of focus of the plan from one of national defence to fostering patriotism and national unity.

These groups have also opposed the heavy fines and jail terms proposed for draft evaders and persons deemed to have assisted them.