KUALA LUMPUR: The National Service Training Programme (PLKN) 3.0 is expected to commence mid-next year with two distinct phases, the Dewan Rakyat heard today.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin stated that these phases will involve a pre-phase at the school level, engaging Form Four students by June or July next year.
Meanwhile, the basic PLKN phase involving participants aged 17 and above is slated to begin in April 2026.
"The pre-PLKN phase at the school level will be implemented concurrently with the Gen Madani module by the Ministry of Education (MoE) is expected to start in June or July 2025.
"The basic phase involving participants aged 17 and above in army camps for 45 days is expected to commence in April 2026.
"However, a pilot project will begin in June or July 2025, involving two army camps with a target participation of 1,000 participants.
"Meanwhile, for the basic PLKN phase in public universities, it will begin with the intake of students for the 2026/2027 academic session," he said during the minister's question time in Dewan Rakyat today.
Khaled said this in response to Zahari Kechik (Independent-Jeli) who inquired about the current status of PLKN reimplementation.
At the same time, he added that the government has approved for the ministry to reintroduce the program with a new concept and format.
He also said the ministry, alongside the MoE and the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) has prepared and designed phased training modules.
"The pre-phase will be introduced at the school level to prepare students for national service training after they turn 17 and will involve only Form Four students during co-curricular activities.
"In the subsequent phase, teenagers aged 17 and above will be selected to undergo basic training in 13 army camps nationwide, 20 public universities and several polytechnics.
"This basic training phase includes 30 per cent basic national service modules and 70 per cent basic military training," he said.
He added that the basic national service modules developed by MoHE will also include elements of self-identity, patriotism, and unity, while modules developed by the ministry will be based on experiential learning and group training.
"Trainees will be taught military life culture, including discipline, punctuality, organisation and independence.
"PLKN trainees will also have the opportunity to undergo advanced training in fields of their interest.
"Modules for each specific training are developed for regular force members, reserve force members, and volunteers, with training being intensive, field-based and practical."
Last year, the ministry announced the imminent return of PLKN, with sessions to last 45 days and be held at the existing 13 army camps and one police camp.
