DAP chairperson Lim Kit Siang today called for the tabling of the National Service Training Bill 2003 to be postponed as its drafters appear to be confused over the reasons for the scheme's implementation.

Lim was referring to a report in Sin Chew Daily today quoting Education Minister Musa Mohamad as denying that the national service programme was introduced to make up for the failure of the national education system to foster racial unity.

"The denial by Musa is the latest example of the confused and muddled thinking of the ministers and government leaders. It is the most powerful reason why the passage of the National Service Training Bill in Parliament should be postponed," he said in a press statement.

The controversial bill was read to Parliament for the first time last week, several days after Defence Minister Najib Tun Razak revealed that the scheme would be aimed at fostering national unity instead of bolstering national defence as initially announced.

The second reading of the bill at the Dewan Rakyat is expected to be this Thursday. Although receiving criticism from civil society groups, the bill is expected to be passed before the end of the present parliamentary session which ends next week.

Rectify failure

Refuting Musa, Lim said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had himself stated on several occasions that the national service scheme was intended to rectify the 'failure' of the national education system to achieve national unity and integration among the youth.

He said Mahathir had said this during a speech in November. In an interview with the New Straits Times last December, the premier had also spoke of the 'double hijacking' of the national school system by those who sabotaged the Pupil's Own Language programme and turned them into Islamic rather than Malaysian schools.

"Mahathir reiterated the raison d'etre for the programme in his Umno Presidential Address last Thursday...although he conceded that the nature of the national service programme has not been finalised," noted Lim.

The veteran politician said unless the government is clear of the purpose and nature of the programme, the implementation of the scheme would not make any meaningful contribution but instead, could become the source of further national division and disunity.

"A bill meant to foster unity and integration must be the fruit of national consensus transcending race, religion or political beliefs. It must not be the subject of acrimonious dispute or differences in society," he said, referring to objections to the bill as expressed by civil society and opposition groups.

"Up till now, opposition parties, non-government organisations, youth organisations and the civil society have been excluded from the whole process of its formulation, discussion and deliberation which is conducted under the cult of secrecy spawned by the Official Secrets Act," he added.

Indoctrination course

Lim said the government should now either withdraw the bill or at the very least refer the matter to a Parliamentary committee to conduct a nationwide survey before deciding on the three-month programme.

In addition, he said the design of the three-month course should not be left to the Biro Tata Negara, a government set-up agency which designs training camps to instill discipline and patriotism in youths.

"(This is) to ensure that it does not end up as an indoctrination course by the Biro (which is) notorious for indoctrination courses for civil servants and students ever since its formation," he said.

At a press conference two weeks ago, Najib said the national service programme has been designed to foster the spirit of patriotism, encourage racial integration and develop "positive and noble traits" among the younger generation.

He also revealed that the three-month scheme for 100,000 trainees starting next year would cost taxpayers RM500 million per year. The programme includes basic military training, and lessons in patriotism and personal development.

Controversial clause to be deleted

The proposed programme has 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. They had also protested against a proposed provision to criminalise all criticism against the bill once it is passed.

However, this afternoon member of parliaments were given a copy of a proposed amendment to delete one of the bill's controversial clauses - Clause 29, which make it an offence to oppose the national service programme.

DAP MP Fong Po Kuan (Batu Gajah) welcomed the deletion of the clause in a statement released late today. She said that such a hasty amendment goes to show that the bill had not been properly drafted and had been tabled without adequate consultation.

"I have submitted a motion to the House speaker calling for the postponement of the second reading of the bill for six months in order to refer it to an all-party parliamentary select committee to conduct nationwide public hearings on the proposed bill," she added.