Eleven camps of the National Service Training Programme (PLKN) have been closed since the programme was introduced in 2004 for various breaches by the respective operators, National Service Training Department (JLKN) director-general Abdul Hadi Awang Kechil said today.

He said the camps were closed to serve as a lesson for the other operators to abide by the rules when managing the camps and trainees.  

“It is to serve as a warning to the camp operators that the department is firm and would not compromise on the safety and well-being of the trainees.

“We also want to assure the people, particularly the trainees’ parents, that their children’s safety is a priority for us,” he told reporters after launching the PLKN camp commandants seminar 2012 at Cherating, near Kuantan.

He cited two PKLN camps in Pahang - Rompin and Bentong - and the Kuala Kangsar camp in Perak that had been ordered to close.

On water-based activities for next year, Abdul Hadi said the operators had been given an option - to build their own swimming pool or rent a facility near the camp.

“This is because building a swimming pool to accommodate all the trainees at one time would involve a substantial cost, of about RM1.5 million,” he said.

NONE Water-based activities using natural ponds were halted temporarily after a trainee, R Vinoth ( arrowed ), from the Terkok camp in Sungai Siput, Perak, died on March 12 as a result of rat urine infection contracted from the source.

Meanwhile, Abdul Hadi said 42,000 trainees nationwide who were born in 1995 would be called to join the PLKN camp Group 1 of 10/2013 beginning Jan 3.

“They can check at www.khidmatnegara.gov.my or contact 03-40274000,” he said.

At the function, Abdul Hadi represented all the 81 PLKN camps nationwide in presenting a RM20,000 cheque to Aqsa Syarif Secretariat chairperson Mohd Isa Maaroff to be donated to the Palestinian people who were being oppressed by Israel’s Zionist regime.

- Bernama