D-day has arrived for 85,000 Malaysians born in 1986 - this morning, the Defence Ministry selected the pioneer batch out of the 480,000 eligible for compulsory national service training.

Candidates can start checking for their names from tomorrow via SMS or at the designated website .

However, further details about which intake and centre where they will be posted will only be available on Dec 15. This will also be published in two national dailies on Dec 20.

The first programme is scheduled for Feb 16 to May 2, while the remaining two will be held concurrently from March 22 to June 13. Each intake will involve 28,350 trainees.

The names were picked at the National Service Training Department in Kuala Lumpur, witnessed by Defence Minister Najib Tun Razak, his deputy Mohd Shafie Apdal and Deputy Home Minister Chor Chee Heung.

Selection was done by computer, utilising 'stratified random sampling' based on such criteria as race, gender and state of origin in order to reflect the nation's multi-racial composition.

The trainees comprise 59,438 (69.93 percent) bumiputeras, 17, 629 (20.74 percent) Chinese, 6, 257 (7.36 percent) Indians and 1, 679 (1.97 percent) from minor ethnic groups. Of the total, 43,350 (51 percent) are males.

'Not wasting time'

At a press conference later, Najib called for mindset change among those still resistant to the scheme

"This will not be a waste of time or a burden to (the youth)....it is for their own benefit," he said.

He said those selected will have to undergo training, as stipulated in the National Service Training Act, passed in the Dewan Rakyat in June.

Those absent without leave or reason may be fined up to RM3,000 or jailed a maximum of six months, or both. Those who abet them in any way also face similar penalties.

Najib claimed that the ministry had received many phone calls from parents insisting on enrolling their children voluntarily, if not selected for training.

While he said there is no provision to accommodate those not selected, he said the matter would have to be studied further because of cost implications. The programme will cost RM500 million annually to implement.

Asked if the government had decided on the quantum of allowances and insurance coverage for trainees, he said the allocations are still with the Treasury for approval.

Commenting on the shortage of non-Malays trainers, he said the application date has been extended by two weeks, and that the department is trying to solve this matter.

It received 5,203 applications to fill the 4,624 places available for trainers. However, the majority are from Malays, with only 348 from Chinese, 135 from Indians and 136 others.

The last option would be to invoke section 25 of the Act to appoint trainers, who must then be given one month's paid leave by their employers for the duration of the scheme.

Under the scheme, 42 camps and 20 public universities have been identified as training sites. Each batch will complete a four-week physical training module at an outdoor camp, before moving indoors to continue with modules on nation building, character building and community service.

Department director-general Kamarulzaman Md Nor reminded those medically unfit or who need to postpone participation because of studies abroad to apply for a certificate of postponement by the end of this month, but stressed that issuance is subject to approval.

As there is currently no reserve list, he said a decision would have to be made on how to fill any vacancies that arise.

Council line-up

Najib also named Universiti Utara Malaysia vice-chancellor Prof Dr Ahmad Fawzi Mohd Basri as the National Service Training Council head.

The council will include five government representatives and a maximum of five representatives of major ethnic groups. They will serve for three years.

The government officials include the Public Services Department director-general, secretaries-general of the Education, Defence and Youth and Sports ministries respectively. The Finance Ministry representative has yet to be identified.

Those representing ethnic groups are Umno Youth exco member Khairy Jamaluddin (Malays), social activist Lee Lam Thye (Chinese), MIC youth chief SA Vigneswaran (Indians).

Sabah's representative is Parti Bersatu Sabah deputy president Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili, while the Sarawak representative has yet to be appointed.

The idea of national training was mooted by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad last October to foster patriotism, encourage racial integration and develop positive and noble traits among the younger generation.

However, the programme has been criticised by opposition and human rights groups for its non-transparent and hasty decision-making process. They also said such training will not address the real issues behind racial polarisation.