PAS parliamentarian for Sepang, Hanipa Maidin, has questioned the extension of the service contract for National Service (NS) director Abdul Hadi Awang Kecil.

NONEAt a press conference at the Parliament lobby today, Hanipa (right) cited the number of deaths among NS trainees as a factor against the year-long extension of the contract, and urged a review.

He had earlier attempted to file a motion to discuss the instances of fatalities in NS camps, but speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia rejected the bid.

In a parliamentary reply last year, the government had said there were 19 deaths as at June 2012.

Hanipa had raised his motion under Standing Order 18.

In making his decision, the speaker acknowledged that the matter is of public interest, but not an urgent one.

The latest reported death was at a NS camp in Pahang, where an 18-year-old trainee was found dead in the bathroom.

Hanipa also claimed that rape cases have been reported at the camps, including one in Terengganu that was brought to his attention.

"Also, I have come across lewd letters sent by a coach at a NS camp to a female trainee at the camp," he added.