The government has tabled a bill for amendment to National Service Training Act. It is only to amend one section of the Act, S.18(1) , to replace the punishment of fine and imprisonment with community service for trainees who failed to attend NS.

This is the proposed amendment:-

Pindaan seksyen 18

2. Akta Latihan Khidmat Negara 2003 (Akta 628) di pinda dalam subseksyen 18(1), dengan menggantikan perkataan “boleh didenda tidak melebihi tiga ribu ringgit atau dipenjarakan selama tempoh tidak melebihi enam bulan atau kedua-duanya” dengan perkataan “hendaklah diperintahkan melaksanakan khidmat masyarakat di bawah perenggan 293(1)(e) Kanun Tatacara Jenayah (Akta 593)”

I believe we still remember the trainee, Ahmad Hafizal who was found guilty for not attending the National Service. He could not pay the fine of RM 600 and was sent to jail. A day later, the special assistant to the MB paid the fine and the boy was released.

It created a public outcry.

I believe there were many chosen 18 years old who have failed to respond to the “call” of this NS. The government now think that the better way of getting to them is to place them under community service.

However, I believe that the better way is to leave the teenages alone and abolish the Act. The government should spend more time in reviewing existing policies which are obtacles to unity, patroism and character building of our children.