KUALA LUMPUR: The defence ministry will be proposing the reimplementation of the National Service (PLKN) programme to the Cabinet, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
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Responding to a question from Ahmad Maslan (BN-Pontian), Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the programme was abolished by the Pakatan Harapan government in 2018.
“However, based on the programme’s positive effects in forming patriotism among teenagers who have joined the programme, the ministry will propose to the Cabinet for the programme to be reimplemented,” he said during his ministerial reply on the 2021 budget.
During his debate on the budget proposals, Ahmad had asked why the programme was halted and proposed for it to be revived.
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Shahidan Kassim (BN-Arau) had also asked if the PLKN contract trainers would be absorbed for service under other government ministries or agencies.
Ismail said the Public Service Department had offered “soft landing” contracts to some 1,394 former officers, who were placed in various agencies and ministries for a year from 2019.
“The purpose of these appointments was to give the officers a chance to sustain themselves while looking for other employment.
“For the YB’s (Shahidan) proposal for these officers to be absorbed into other ministries and agencies, this matter needs to be referred to the appointing authorities,” he said. – FMT