I have just heard some news report over TV3 a little while ago about a new regulation which the authorities are going to implement regarding new recruits for the Program Khidmat Negara or National Service in English. To me the whole thing is a wrongly perceptive idea, so much so that even till today, problems after problems persists and exists and continues to do so much to the chagrin of the those people who are involved in it or even introduced it.
According to my information, the Malaysian National Service is a kind of program to provide youths with an opportunity to settle in for a few months to learn about national integration along with adding some sporting activities during the day and of course this comes with provision of meals and uniforms to top it off.
What they ( the authorities ) did not see or do was to find out the right ways and means to implement such a program to make it very successful and worthwhile in achieving the true objectives of such a progamme.
Before, such things came to lift off, i have heard about business people rushing to get involved in the business of becoming a supplier to such projects /programmes that cater to the needs of this huge business project, (see how certain people look at this opportunity to enrich their business venture and to monopolise them for their vested interests) since national service training camps exists in most parts of the states in the country. Everyone was so cooped up with how much money they would make and none the least ever thought about what good does it do in terms of what the National Service program is all about. Business thoughts come first in everybody's mind who has links with the so called government or government bodies to be able to grab whatever perks that could be salvage for being a "supplier and provider" for such services although many prefer to deny it . Imagine its profitability due to its longterm compulsory programme which is very much a national undertaking.
Coming back to my related comment about the TV3 news report, it was mentioned that the government is seriously looking at the health checks requirements need to be imposed on the recruits who are conscripted into the programme. I really look at it as a big joke of the people who themselves implemented the whole programme from the very beginning.
Malaysians are good copycats on things they thought they would be proud off to tell other people that they can do whatever they want with their Malaysia Boleh campaign or motto.
In the first place, Malaysia's National Service programme is very very much unlike the other programes of the other countries e.g. Singapore ( the nearest neighbour ) , Taiwan, Israel, Turkey, Russia and Cyprus. It is an altogether a locally made programme that has many loose planning from even from the start and until today.
Of course, the initial stages of implementation had a lot of teething problems. Parents were not happy about it, the potential recruits were far from enthusiastic or proud or even dare to participate in such a programme. There was none of the strong foundation of course to be learned or to expect. Abstention for registration was rampant but it was not even taken seriously. It was a matter of an announcement but without much of an enforcement on the part of the authorities. ( Enforcement in Malaysia if stressed openly, leaves too much to be desired. )
As i read the newspapers too, i have seen all kinds of amusing stories about how the national service programmes are being run and managed. In a plural society like Malaysia, anything or everything that is carried out that involves the public are governed by the sensitivities of its people which not only concern racial issues but also its political element that divides much of its population.
If the authorities failed in its mission in doing what it should be doing, they should only be blamed for such mistakes as National Service is not a summer camp vacation of sorts.
There are many aspects being argued about how the management of national services be carried out. Some complained about the racial breakdown of the facilitators / trainers involved while others complained about the food menus that recruits received, infrastructure facilities etc etc.
All these matters should have been avoided if proper surveys / planning are being done by the authorities. At the same time, there are always things which are not adequate or suitable or just plain acceptable for one particular race. Many Malaysians must think of a one Malaysian mentality and identity but sad to say after so many years of independence, Malysians like to talk things "racist".
About the realisation of the health condition of recruits, it is the duty of the authorities to spend some money on the health screening of all candidates. The Malaysian student population is a far more intergrated and prolific segment of the country. There are drug users, bullies, truant players, plenty of under aged smokers, promiscuous youths etc.etc As much as this is true, many people think that it was the problems of the individuals themselves or due to lack of parental upbringing or the school disciplinary system. If the foundations of such matters are lacking at the school level, the problems would be more difficult to tolerate at the next level of admission, ie national service.
Hence health problems resurface. If the school through the education system had impose health checks through annual compulsory routines as part of its curriculum, many health risks problems could be detected or prevented. One example of such exercise will be a simple urine test which could actually determine many things. Therefore when the authorities allowed students to be drafted into national service, it was also the duty of their department to supervise and provide the necessary health checks. It is definitely wrong to just rely on the statements and declarations made by the recruits themselves.
As one big loophole and total disregard for such an important component of its implementation at entry level, the authorities definitely have to be blamed for such infringement. When fatalities exists ( and it will continue to do so) the authorities will always be blamed as a black sheep for its causes. What is the use of making statements defending and making lame excuses about such occurrences of fatalities if the authorities could not even lay out a simple indemnity agreement about national service. Anywhere in this world, the state of fatalities are common in national service activities. The proponents of such a programme must and should have studied the legal matters and procedures more seriously rather than showcased it as a retreat or holiday programme for drop-outs or troubled youths. The inculcation of an extended school like- system must be taught but that again it could not be guaranteed that such a programme will be achieved. At the end of the day, a strong school system at grass roots level will only determine whether a youth will be successful or not. They say the youths of today are the leaders of tomorrow but with so many uncountable bad youths around the country , it is going to be definitely unsafe and a far cry of making the country a healthy place to live in too.
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