Perlis Menteri Besar Shahidan Kassim has offered a solution to the problem-ridden national service programme - ban mobile phones.

Based on his random observation, he said trainees felt more comfortable attending the programme at camps where mobile phone reception was not available.

He reasoned that mobile phones can be used to spread information, which if turns out to be either inaccurate or false, could spark concern among the public.

"Anything can happen like dissatisfaction against certain parties which may lead to problems," he was quoted as saying by Bernama .

Inaccurate information

He said relaying inaccurate information, particularly through the short messaging service (SMS) text, to outsiders would bring about a wrong impression of implementation.

The public should not be made to feel alarmed with negative and false reports from national service training camps, he added.

Elaborating, he told reporters that trainees at the hilly Meranti camp in Wang Kelian had no problems as mobile phones could not be used there.

Shahidan said the Perlis government planned to offer two sites - near Tasik Meranti and Sungai Batu Pahat for setting up of national service camps.

The pilot national service programme - an idea mooted by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad - has come under scrutiny following a host of problems ranging from fights to allegations of sexual harassment.

Trainees were also allegedly found to be in possession of drugs and other prohibited substances. Apart from these, the programme has been possessed by paranormal glitches in some camps, requring the services of exorcists.

Poor planning

Detractors have taken the government to task over what has been described as a 'poorly planned and managed' scheme.

Oppoition party DAP recently called on the cabinet to suspend the programme until the problems can be ironed out. It also requested access for elected representatives to the various camps in order to allay the concerns of parents.

Some 85,000 youths are participating in the programme and are housed in 41 camps nationwide.

Last week, the national service council announced that it will take legal action against some 10,000 shirkers, who if found guilty, could face a six-month jail term or an RM3,000 fine.