Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah
SIBU: The abolition of the National Service Training Programme (PLKN) has its pros and cons, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah opines.
“Scrapping the programme is a good move if the cost is too high.
“However, PLKN is one of the best programmes to instil patriotism, unity among races, discipline and integration,” he said when asked to comment on Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman’s statement that the government had decided to abolish the PLKN and the National Civics Bureau (BTN) with immediate effect.
Syed Saddiq said the decision was made last week at the meeting of the Cabinet, which found that PLKN and BTN had been misused for the purpose of indoctrination of certain beliefs.
PLKN and BTN would be replaced with new programmes that would focus on shaping visionary youths, he added
Syed Saddiq said for the moment, all PLKN and BTN officers and assets would be placed under the jurisdiction of the Youth and Sports Ministry before the new programmes are introduced.
In supporting the abolition, Abdul Karim said: “What is the point of having this programme if the government is bleeding and almost bankrupt as what Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders in the government have said?
“Likewise, PH leaders should also not embark on unnecessary mega projects like the national car, F1 race and so on, as it should focus more on development and people-centric projects.”
On the downside of the abolition, the Asajaya assemblyman said: “South Korea and Singapore are among countries where it is a must for their youth to undergo national service and (we can) see how their youth fare now.
“They are patriotic, disciplined and do not succumb to the many social problems facing the youth.”