DAP today welcomed the government's decision to rescind the anti-instigation provision in the National Service Training Bill but insisted that its passage in Parliament be postponed because of other problematic areas.

In a statement, DAP chairperson Lim Kit Siang said the withdrawal of Section 29 of the proposed legislation is only one of several objectionable punitive provisions.

"The notice (of withdrawal) is welcomed but this is not adequate to make the bill acceptable or palatable, as it is only one of several criminal sanctions and custodial offences which make it highly offensive and in violation of the very principles and objectives of the programme," he said.

Yesterday, the national service committee distributed a notice of amendment to members of Parliament stating that the offensive provision would be deleted from the bill, which was tabled for first reading in the Dewan Rakyat last week.

The clause had allowed for those who instigated opposition to the scheme to be slapped with a maximum fine of RM10,000 or jail term of up to two years, or both.

Colonial hangover

The other punitive provisions to which Lim referred were the proposed penalty of a six-month jail sentence, a RM3,000 fine or both for those who fail to participate in the programme if selected, and those who abet in draft evasion.

Another controversial provision proposes that a 10-year jail term be imposed on those who carry out any activities, including maiming or injuring themselves, to disqualify themselves from the programme.

"What is the provision for a 10-year sentence doing in a bill for a three-month course which is meant to correct the failures of the education system (and) foster national unity?" he asked.

Lim also criticised the drafter of the bill for lifting "lock, stock and barrel" from a pre-independence law - the National Service Act 1952.

"It is clear that the drafters have not contributed any original thinking but lifted the provisions of criminal sanctions and custodial offences, on most occasions word-for-word, from the half- century-old colonial law," he said.

"This is the fatal flaw of the National Service Training Bill because the colonial National Service Act 1952 was undemocratic in spirit and content. The colonial power had to depend on (severe punishments) to compel submission from a subjected people."

Therefore, he said, the key objectives of the colonial law were very different from the present bill's stated objectives of instilling a sense of patriotism and promoting national unity.

Sketchy details

Lim also warned against the government using the national service programme as a vehicle for indoctrinating youths.

"(Another) major objection is the lack of iron-clad safeguards to ensure that the national service training programme does not degenerate into an indoctrination course by the Biro Tata Negara (National Civics Bureau) of the Prime Minister's Department, which is notorious for its role in indoctrinating civil servants and students," he said.

Although Defence Minister Najib Tun Razak has revealed that the national service scheme would involve basic military training and lessons in patriotism and personal development, he has kept mum on details of the course content.

The reports by the Cabinet sub-committees on matters of curriculum, logistics and finance have not been made public.