Malaysia’s National Service pilot project to begin in June next year: Defence Minister

Selected students aged 17 and above would undergo training at 13 military camps, 20 public universities, and several polytechnics nationwide.

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Thematic image. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the basic national service training at military camps would begin in April 2026. PHOTO: UNSPLASH

July 11, 2024

KUALA LUMPUR – The National Service Training Programme 3.0 (NS) pilot project will begin in June and July next year, says Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.The Defence Minister said the project would involve two out of 13 military camps nationwide.

“One thousand participants are targeted for this project. The camps will be segregated based on gender,” he said during Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

Khaled also revealed that the Defence, Higher Education and Education ministries had finalised the training module draft.

He said the programme would first be introduced in schools in a pre-National Service Training Programme phase.

“This will involve Form 4 students during curriculum periods,” he added.

Following this, basic national service training would begin, where selected students aged 17 and above would undergo training at 13 military camps, 20 public universities and several polytechnics nationwide.

“This phase will encompass nationhood modules (30%) and basic military training (70%),” he said.

Khaled said the basic national service training at military camps would begin in April 2026.

Meanwhile, national service training in public universities would begin during the 2026/2027 academic intake.

Khaled explained that the training module, which was developed by the Higher Education Ministry, included elements of patriotism and unity.

The Defence Ministry, meanwhile, is developing basic military training, in which participants would be trained to be disciplined, punctual, organised and independent.

“Participants will have the opportunity to further their training according to their fields of interest,” said Khaled.

He added that discussions were also held on whether technical and vocational training should be included.

Khaled was responding to Zahari Kechik (PN-Jeli) and Datuk Mohd Isam Mohd Isa (BN-Tampin), who asked about the status of the revised national service programme.

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