Several National Service (NS) trainees have claimed that their parents were not informed about the firearms training they had underwent.

Eighteen-year-old trainees Chan Swau Ling, Voon Yoke Fan, Mandy Tan and Pauline Ng said the National Service Department did not notify their parents about the training.

"We called our parents to inform them," said the four, who were among 40 trainees who held a demonstration on their M-16 assault rifle training at the Sungai Besi army camp yesterday.

However, the trainees said their parents were not worried nor did they object to the training.

Previously, Deputy Premier and Defence Minister Najib Abdul Razak said parents have been told about the training.

The training had drawn much flak from opposition parliamentarians, with one even asking for it to be deferred However, a survey discovered that an overwhelming number of trainees want the firearms training.

Exciting and interesting

Speaking about his experience, Chan said the firearms training was exciting and interesting.

"Initially we were afraid and nervous, but after the training I felt myself becoming more brave," she added.

Chan also said that she will encourage more friends to join the National Service Programme because "there are so many things we have never experienced".

Asked whether there were trainees who refused to be involved in the firearms training, she said there were a few but none of them were forced to join.

National Service Council President Lee Lam Thye had said that those not willing to take part in the shooting exercise can be exempted.

The 'pilot project' of firearms training was introduced in six national service camps. It was carried out from Aug 1 to Sept 14 and involved some 977 trainees.