The National Service Training Programme should have been terminated instead of merely being suspended, PKR Youth strategy director Akmal Nasir said.

 

The modules taught at the National Service camps can be taught at schools and at universities instead, Akmal said, claiming that this would cost less.

 

“To think that the NS Training Programme is so important that it cannot be provided by schools and universities shows how weak the nation’s focus on education is.

 

“All benefits reaped from the programmes can also be gained if they are conducted by another party at a lower cost,” Akmal said in a statement today.

 

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had announced the suspension of the PLKN for this year in an effort to cut back on government spending . This is expected to save RM400 million.

 

However, Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein ( right ) said despite the suspension , the National Service camp operators and coaches would remain on government payroll.

 

Meanwhile, Akmal pointed out that RM400 million is about one-fifth to one-quarter of the loans given out each year by the National Higher Education Fund (PTPTN).

 

The money could have been used to provide loans of RM15,000 each to some 25,000 university students, to ensure that schools are well-equipped, or to provide skills training programmes to those who are not furthering their education at universities.

 

In contrast, Akmal said, since 2004, it had cost at least RM5,283 to train each of the 832,712 trainees who had taken part in the programme since its inception in 2004, which he claims is too high.

 

He also urged the government to disclose to the public all contractors involved in providing supplies for the National Service camps.