From Strait Times Webby:-
Najib pledges to keep NS despite problems
KUALA LUMPUR - The national service scheme is here to stay despite
the flak from the public over several weaknesses in the programme,
Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak says in an interview with the
New Sunday Times.
An exercise in boating for national service trainees. -- AP
He said NS is important for national integration and, despite the
shortcomings, those running the three-month programme would just
have to cope.
'We are trying to mould people, to get those from different races
to be comfortable doing things with one another. This is the only
way they will appreciate each other's aspirations and
sensitivities,' he said.
Datuk Seri Najib, who is Defence Minister, said the school system
is a product of political compromise and does not allow for such
interaction.
Ninety per cent of Chinese are in Chinese schools and 70 per cent
of Indians are in Tamil schools.
He also said the programme will help build the character of younger
generations, making youths more disciplined and resilient.
'The trainees come from all backgrounds - some of them are role
models in schools, prefects, some come from middle class and
well-to-do families,' he said.
'You also have those who are poorer, some even from difficult
socio-economic backgrounds - broken homes and neighbourhoods with
social problems.
'Some may be juvenile delinquents involved in unhealthy activities.
It is a mixed bag.'
Over the past few weeks, there have been fights, an alleged rape of
a trainee by a trainer and other instances of indiscipline
affecting the pioneer group of 85,000 teenagers in 41 camps
nationwide.
Several people have called for the programme to be scrapped while
others have suggested separate camps for boys and girls.
Responding to the criticisms, the Deputy Premier said many of the
problems 'originated from innocent pranks'.
'We were 18 once. Obviously, quite often they tease one another.
Sometimes it becomes excessive and it leads to fights. We have to
take this seriously,' he said.
He said the government viewed the NS programme seriously because
parents, after releasing their children to attend it, expect the
government to take care of them.
'There is a moral obligation to take care of them. That's why when
there was the report of the alleged rape, I was very, very
disturbed,' he said.
Comparing the experiences of other countries, he said that
Singapore also found the implemention of its programme, which
covers a two-year period, difficult during the early phase.
'It wasn't a walk in the park for them but they persevered. They
discovered that their National Service is a significant factor in
moulding the future generation of Singaporeans.
'They think their strength - discipline and competitiveness - would
not have been achieved without it,' he said.
The Deputy Premier then wondered whether the government had
pampered Malaysians.
'The Singaporeans have to stomach being in uniform and living in
barracks under more arduous and risky training.
'They've lost people, accidents have happened, people have died and
so forth. But they never gave up,' he said.
