Parliament: Amendment to NS Act- Community Service Not Fine and Imprisonment
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.
This amendment is a small step in the right direction. The abolishment of NS can be pursued later. However, I have been told in the past that “community service” as a punishment is against the Constitution!!
Will “community service” also be considered to be imposed as a penalty for other minor offences such as jaywalking, littering, traffic violations etc.??
Pax.
Comment by Hitam Had — May 20, 2008 @ 11:32 am
YB Fong,
You are right, just abolish this national service nonsense. Waste of time, money and even precious life.
Comment by Ricky — May 20, 2008 @ 11:48 am
This is a good move by the govt. However, I agree with you that the NS should be abolished altogether.
Comment by James Ooi — May 20, 2008 @ 5:26 pm
Yeah please push to abolish the NS lah!
My NS poll at my blog is 95% against the NS service. Why the need to go against the people wish? No wonder BN lost 5 states in 2008. They are going to lost another 5 states in GE13
My NS Poll close in 6 days, take part now!
http://shiokguy.blogspot.com/2008/05/ns-poll-close-in-7-days.html
Shiok Guy
Comment by Shiok Guy — May 25, 2008 @ 1:32 pm
My NS Poll closed.
Check it the result here..
http://shiokguy.blogspot.com/2008/06/result-of-ns-poll.html
94% against!!!! YB.. we have 2/3 Majority here.. ha ha aha
Comment by Shiok Guy — June 2, 2008 @ 8:35 pm