Sexual harassment has emerged as a main source of complaints against trainers employed under the scandal-ridden National Service (NS) programme, since its implementation last year.

Twenty of the 69 trainers who have faced disciplinary action to date were implicated in sexual harassment cases, said Defence Minister Najib Abdul Razak in a parliamentary written reply to Loh Seng Kok (BN-Kelana Jaya).

The largest number of cases, however, involved failure to comply with the instructions of the NS camp authorities, with 21 trainers having been sanctioned.

Disciplinary action was also taken for violence leading to injuries and abuse of power (8 cases each); taking trainees out of the camps without permission (6); disrupting implementation of the programme (3); submitting false particulars (2); and breaching the dress code (1).

Those involved have been suspended and will not be hired again as trainers, Najib said, adding that complaints in 45 of the cases were received last year. The rest were recorded since the beginning of this year.

Taken measures

He also said the ministry has taken measures to improve the performance of trainers and that this has succeeded in reducing breach of discipline.

The measures include appointing trainers on a contract basis, hiring of experienced trainers and organises courses for them; and grading trainers as well as enhancing their skills.

The compulsory NS programme was mooted by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to foster national unity and instill patriotism among youths.

The trainees are randomly chosen from eligible youths aged 18 at present, although the scheme covers those up to 35 years. Absentees are liable to be charged and could face up to six months' jail, a maximum fine of RM3,000, or both.

However, the programme has been dogged by controversy from the start. Among the serious incidents recorded was that of alleged rape of a 17-year-old trainee in Terengganu. A trainer was charged for this last year.