Outbreaks of violence at training camps will not lead the government to suspend its new national service programme, but military drills may be introduced to reduce boredom, reports said today.

The three-month national service training, aimed at boosting patriotism and racial integration, began Feb 16 in 41 camps around the country involving more than 28,000 youths, aged 18, from different ethnic groups.

But reports of fighting, riots, extortion and sexual harassment have prompted opposition politicians to call for a suspension of the two-month-old scheme, the News Straits Times said.

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is also defence minister, was quoted as saying that the trouble should not be blown out of proportion.

"One or two incidents have happened and we are looking at them. However, it does not warrant the suspension of the whole program," he said.

Najib said some army units had been deployed to tighten discipline at some camps and the government would look into the possibility of including elements of discipline in the second phase of training. - AFP