The government today published the names of more than 8,500 teenagers who dodged a controversial new National Service programme, and warned they could be jailed.

The names and identity card numbers of 18-year-old boys and girls who did not turn up for training this year were listed in eight major newspapers and on the national service website.

Those who again fail to report for training will be taken to court where they face a sentence of six months in jail or a fine of RM3,000 ringgit or both.

They will then be called up again, and again punished if they fail to report for duty, said National Service department director general Kamarulzaman Mohamad Noor.

"This will continue until they finally complete the training," he was quoted as saying by The Star .

"However, legal action is the last resort and we are asking this year's programme absentees to respond to our last call for a special training session that will start on Aug 2."

Problem-ridden service

Malaysia started non-military national service training for 18-year-old youths in February to boost patriotism and racial integration.

But reports of rape, race-based fighting, riots, extortion and sexual harassment in the camps have prompted opposition politicians to call for a suspension of the scheme.

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is also defence minister, has defended the programme saying that the problems were "challenges rather than criticisms in our effort to prepare our youths for the future."