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23 deaths in 10 years - MP reminds of National Service's dark history
PARLIAMENT | A Pakatan Harapan MP has raised three reasons for the government to reconsider its plans to revive the National Service training programme.
During his debate on the Defence Ministry budget in the Dewan Rakyat today, Chow Yu Hui (Harapan-Raub) said that while National Service 3.0 aimed at fostering national unity and patriotism, its past failures and weaknesses shouldn’t be ignored.
Emphasising that...
PARLIAMENT | A Pakatan Harapan MP has raised three reasons for the government to reconsider its plans to revive the National Service training programme.
During his debate on the Defence Ministry budget in the Dewan Rakyat today, Chow Yu Hui (Harapan-Raub) said that while National Service 3.0 aimed at fostering national unity and patriotism, its past failures and weaknesses shouldn’t be ignored.
Emphasising that the "dark history of National Service cannot be forgotten", Chow listed the programme’s poor safety record from when it was first implemented in 2003.
In 2004, a female trainee was raped at the Merang Camp, Terengganu.
In 2009, another trainee was sexually assaulted by more than 20 male trainees at the Chini Camp, Pahang.
Racial clashes also erupted at the Chini Camp in 2009.
It was reported that 23 young Malaysians had died in National Service camps as of 2013.
"These incidents have shaken public confidence in the programme. We cannot reintroduce this without robust safety assurances,” Chow stressed.
He pointed out that safety concerns were also a key factor in the Harapan government’s decision to terminate the programme in 2018.
The Raub MP cautioned that bullying could also be a risk at National Service camps like the recent cases at Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM).
Chow said the public has lost faith in the National Service’s ability to provide a safe and neutral environment, citing a January 2024 survey by Architects of Diversity, which revealed:
52 percent of respondents were deeply concerned about sexual harassment in National Service.
49 percent were worried about bullying.
41 percent opposed the inclusion of political agendas in the programme.
The parliamentarian further questioned who would take responsibility if such tragedies recur.
Unjustifiable costs
Chow also raised the unjustifiable cost of the programme.
He said from 2004 to 2018, it cost RM8.4 billion, including 43 percent for camp leases without open tenders.
"Even the 2025 pilot project is estimated to cost RM40 million. In my view, this is not an efficient use of public funds.
"These funds would be better allocated to scholarships benefiting all youth regardless of race.
“Investing in equitable education would be a more effective way to foster patriotism among young people,” he added.
Chow pointed out that the programme also failed to foster genuine racial unity.
"It was promoted as a platform to encourage racial unity. However, after camp, the youth returned to societal realities, facing ongoing challenges and injustices,” he said.
Education reform key to unity
If the government is serious about fostering true unity and patriotism, Chow urged it to focus on educational reform as that is the key.
In citing the matriculation quota system which blocks many outstanding SPM graduates, he recalled an incident Royal Education Award winner Nahvin Muthusamy shared of his friend ending his life after being denied entry to matriculation.
"This story clearly illustrates that without fair policies, programmes like National Service cannot address the anxieties of the youth regarding educational opportunities,” Chow said.
Unifying university admission systems and awarding scholarships based on need and merit are crucial steps to ensuring fair opportunities for all, he added.
"Fair and comprehensive policies will not only bridge trust gaps between races but also cultivate a generation that feels valued and proud to be Malaysian.”
The DAP lawmaker called the reintroduction of National Service a regressive step as the youth do not need mandatory camps to understand unity.
"Only when they experience justice and equality will patriotism naturally and enduringly grow.
"I urge the government to review this decision and focus resources on initiatives that are more effective in developing youth and building national unity without repeating past administrative mistakes.”
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23 families lost loved ones and how many of the perpetrators were charged and sentenced in courts? These families should sue the defence ministry for the loss of lives. And it is typical that this umno defence minister would push for this hogwash scheme that probably is designed to help his party cronies make money while endangering young lives. Have we not heard enough of the incompetence of current training programmes led by this ministry resulting in harm and deaths occurring among young people. What further proof do we need of the inherent dangers of untrained personnel being unleashed on kids? How many more young people is this govt led by umno planning on injuring or killing through this half past six programme? Shut it down!
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