KUALA LUMPUR: No deaths in the previous National Service Training Programmes (PLKN) 1.0 and 2.0 were linked to negligence during training or bullying incidents.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said that based on available data, PLKN 1.0 and 2.0, conducted between 2004 and 2018, recorded a total of 20 deaths, the majority of which were due to pre-existing health conditions or sudden heart attacks.
“Investigations by the authorities confirmed that none of the deaths were caused by negligence during training or bullying incidents. Accordingly, the ministry reiterates its commitment to ensuring that the programme is implemented more safely, with greater focus, and remains relevant to the current needs and challenges of the younger generation,” he said in a parliamentary written reply.
Khaled (BN–Kota Tinggi) said this in response to Chow Yu Hui (PH–Raub), who had requested statistics on bullying cases and deaths in PLKN camps from 2003 to 2017. Chow also inquired about the number of trainees in PLKN 3.0 by ethnicity, age, and location.
Khaled said that the ongoing PLKN 3.0 had attracted participants from a diverse mix of ethnic groups, reflecting representation from across Malaysian society.
He said the first two series of PLKN 3.0, held this year, saw the participation of 560 trainees aged between 17 and 27, with 116 in Series 1 and 444 in Series 2. Of the total, 370 were Malay, 91 Chinese, 74 Indian, and 25 from other ethnic groups.
“This demonstrates representation from various communities since the early phase of the programme’s implementation,” he added.
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