Readers respond to NS must cry for Ili Ameera

I HOPE there will be answers forthcoming from some queries which I have regarding the National Service (NS) programme.

As the writer has pointed out, there have been many fatalities since NS started.

I am sure that parents whose children are enrolled on the programme and those of future NS trainees would want to know whether there is any insurance scheme for their children and if so, what it is all about. Can the NS administrators publish the details?

What about those who had lost their lives while attending the programme? Have their parents or guardians receive anything at all?

In the case of Ili Ameera Azlan, so far there was only a report that her parents were given RM3000. Is that amount an immediate relief for the bereaved family to take care of burial expenses? Or is that all there are to it? A paltry RM3000 in exchange for the life of their kid.

I hope these questions will be answered. - HS Kaur

NS - A total waste of time and money

I totally agree with your argument on NS. We must call off the NS before more lives are lost in this ill prepared programme. Besides, I do not see any benefit in carrying on with it.

RM500 million is big money and I believe much of the money will end up in the pockets of some individuals. I have also heard that the reason why one 'Big Shot' is so adamant that we continue with NS is because the company that makes the uniform belongs to his wife. Why am I not surprised at all?

Having said all that, I am a true believer that patriotism, discipline and civic mindedness should be instilled in our young people at a very tender age ie. primary education level. I grew up in my primary days studying Pendidikan Sivik and most of what I learned still lingers in my life till today and I in turn have the privilege to teach my children all that I have learned.

The Malays have this saying, melentur buluh biarlah dari rebungnya , and I am not sure if those in charge really heed this wisdom call of their forefathers. Therefore I hope this BN-controlled government suspends this failed NS programme and spends the money wisely instead by revising our education syllabus appropriately if they really want to see a future generation of patriotic young Malaysians. - Roy

Also read Ditch NS programme now before more die published in our letter's column

A scam to enrich some people

When NS was first mooted, many of us shared the same notion of the noble NS as provided by the Singapore Government. In the island state, the youths are trained with the highest degree of patriotism, honesty, discipline and service beyong self.

But with our own NS programme, we seem to hear so many negative comments about it. Some of which are really sick to the bone - trainees are being molested and raped, careless security causing several trainees to be drowned, death caused by food-poisoning, etc. Which parent would not be worried when their children are selected for NS.

It is no more a previlege to be selected for NS. Rather it seems more like being selected for some uncertain sufferings. With all the above negative impacts, the most astonishing response from the BN Government is complete silence.

To me, the whole NS is but just a scam to enrich some people's pocket with all the expensive purchases of uniforms and opportunities for food catering. I've heard that some of the food are only fit for animals! I do not think the caterers themselves would even dare to try the food. Remember those food-poisoning incidents!

Let me remind those in power that NS will never enhance national unity or patriotism. This is a short-sighted view and an excuse to strip the national wealth. To ensure a lasting and effective national unity, the government has to ensure its policies are fair and not lop-sided - not only care for one particular race be it in education, job allocation both in public and private sectors, etc, etc... - Alvin Lai

Not going to war

The national service must be scrapped. We are not a country that is going to war or will be going to war in the next 100 years. Even if we have to, I doubt the skills learnt at NS would be beneficial. Leave our teens alone. By forcing them to go to NS, we are pulling the nation back 100 years. Let them have choices. - Sri Siva

On Yes, there are shady characters made 'Datuks'

Rulers should award titles to opposition leaders too

So it is now an open secret that many people obtained their datukship because of their connections with some royal families. This is how bad people obtained the titles. There were stories in the papers on this.

This also reflects badly on the ruler concerned and members of his family. There were even rumours that some rulers mixed freely with bad elements in society. There were many stories true or otherwise, nobody can be sure - that said some rulers were behaving in a manner that will meet with disapproval from their subjects.

Another bad practice is that the titles are only awarded to certain people from certain groups. In particular, opposition politicians (with very few exceptions) are very rarely considered for titles as though they are all bad people. Being in the opposition, they are thought to have made no contributions to the well-being of society and progress of this country. This is very misleading. None of the rulers has taken steps to correct this.

It is as though the opposition leaders and people who are opposing those in power are not part of the leadership of this country and worse, not the subjects of the rulers. Sadly, the crucial role of check and balance played by the opposition in preventing abuses and injustice and in preserving the democratic way of life is not at all appreciated, if not altogether forgotten.

It's high time the rulers change this negative perception. All Malaysians are their subjects. The presence of the opposition in our midst brings many untold benefits to society and our country. We urge the rulers to be fair to all their subjects and award titles to all deserving Malaysians.

I have read some speeches of the rulers. At best, they were only good at parroting as though their hands are tied to their back. There is a lot of room for them to be fair to all. Rulers of Malaysia, please be fair to all rakyat.- Rosli Yaakop

One rude, weight-throwing datuk

I have experienced working for a company which has a datuk as the chairperson.

His behaviour at work is most unbecoming of one conferred with a so-called honourable title. He is a very rude and impolite person and enoys throwing his weight around.

Many of us know that he also abuses his power in and outside the company. I will spare you the details.

However, the chairperson, as all of us know, obtained his datukship with money.

Need I say more. - Jeremy Lim

Comments can reach Rentakini at francis@malaysiakini.com. Selected letters will be published.