An opposition lawmaker today questioned the need to continue the controversy-ridden National Service programme which was introduced two years ago.

Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah) asked the government to review and discontinue the programme during her debate on the Budget 2007 in the Dewan Rakyat.

She questioned the wisdom of spending a huge amount of money to achieve the three main objectives stipulated under the programme - character building, instilling patriotism and fostering national unity among youths.

"The government is spending about RM500 million annually for the programme. Isn't that a heavy financial burden for us?" she asked.

Although the MP agreed with the objectives under the programme, she however argued that the "inconsistent attitude" demonstrated by the Barisan Nasional leaders rendered the programme meaningless.

"Do we need to spend that amount of money to achieve these objectives when our BN leaders on the other hand disagree with the Bangsa Malaysia concept and continue to wield the keris (traditional Malay dagger)?" Fong asked.

She also asked whether the jail-term sentence for programme absentees will be amended and replaced with community service as reported earlier in the newspapers.

Hysteria cases

Deputy Defence Minister Zainal Abidin Zin, in his ministerial winding-up later, however did not respond on whether the government has any plans to scrap the programme.

On the reported plan to amend the punishment for absentees, the deputy minister said no decision has been made on the matter.

Meanwhile, Zainal Abidin said 17 deaths, involving eight trainees and nine trainers, have been reported since the introduction of the programme in 2004.

"The reasons behind the deaths include accidents, drowning and heart attacks but these cases happened outside the national service camp," he told the House.

Earlier, Idris Haron (BN-Tangga Batu) claimed several hysteria cases were reported in few camps, affecting the performance of the trainees and trainers.

To his suggestion to send psychologists to these camps to overcome these problems, Zainal Abidin shot down the idea, saying this will be costly.

He pointed out there is a medical officer stationed in each camp and the trainees could be sent to nearby hospitals for treatment if necessary.

The compulsory National Service programme which was approved by Parliament in 2003 was mooted by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The trainees are randomly chosen from eligible youths aged 18, although the scheme covers those up to 35-years-old.

Absentees are liable to be charged and could face up to six months' jail, a maximum fine of RM3,000, or both.

The programme has been dogged by numerous controversies thus far, including a rape case, assault cases causing death and incidents of mass hysteria in several camps.