The government's 'commercial gimmickry' has come under fire from DAP chairperson Lim Kit Siang, whose ire is targeted at the move to 'indulge' National Service cadets with free gifts.

Calling on the authorities not to divert attention from the real problem of indiscipline among some of those attending the three-month stint, he said the government should not be "frolicking with...freebies and discounts".

Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Najib Abdul Razak had launched a special identification card known as ' YES2NS ', which also can be used a discount card (see chart) . The card will be issued to the 85,000 national service trainees.

"I call on Najib to focus on the basic problem areas of the programme which threatens its very rationale and success," Lim told a press conference at the Parliament's lobby this morning.

The Ipoh Timor member of parliament had earlier paid a visit to Dewan Rakyat speaker Dr Mohamed Zahir Ismail.

"I am shocked that Najib can at this time indulge in a rather irresponsible fling with commercial freebies and discounts for the trainees, when Malaysians are asking whether the whole programme should be suspended if not abolished because of its flaws and failures," he said.

He added that many parents who had at first welcomed the introduction of the new programme are now spending sleepless nights and (must have) lost their appetite worrying about the safety of their children in the camps.

Many quarters have voiced concern over the incidents of indiscipline reported recently in the media, including cases of fighting, assault and sexual harassment.

Audit demanded

Lim also demanded a full audit of the RM500 million being spent on the national service under this year's programme.

He supported the recommendation of several non-governmental organisations for an open forum to be held to document concerns over implementation of the programme.

"The open forum should be held by all political parties and civil groups throughout the country... it should be a forum to hear the truth," he said.

Lim had yesterday advised Najib and the national service council members to "come out from their air-conditioned office and turun padang

" (go on the ground) to find out the root causes of the indiscipline cases.

Wrong approach

On another matter, Lim also commented on Home Affairs Minister Azmi Khalid's announcement yesterday that Mykad applicants will be fined RM100 if they fail to collect their cards within three months of being reminded to do so.

Lim called the decision "high-handed and uncalled-for", noting that this is the wrong approach to resolving the problem.

"Since applicants have to pay RM20 for the Mykad after 2005, why can't the National Registration Department announce a deadline for all the uncollected Mykad to be destroyed?" he asked.

Lim further said he is still waiting for action from Deputy Tourism Minister Zahid Hamidi in response to his challenge to ministers to publicly declare their assets or relinquish their posts.

Zahid had said opposition leaders should reveal their assets first - a challenge which Lim has accepted with a caveat that Barisan Nasional representatives should follow suit within two weeks of the DAP doing so.