Only teens born in 2007 to be called for National Service next year: Mindef

KUALA LUMPUR – Only teenagers born in 2007 will be called to undergo the National Service Training Programme (PLKN) if it is implemented in 2024.

The Defence Ministry (Mindef) in a statement said trainees will be selected according to a specific year of birth at the start of PLKN 3.0.

"In principle, the government has agreed to reintroduce PLKN with a revised method under PLKN 3.0 in line with the National Service Training Act 2003 (Act 628).

"For example, if PLKN 3.0 is implemented in 2024, then only teenagers who were born in 2007 will be called to undergo the training," according to the statement.

The statement said that if the selected trainees are unable to participate in PLKN for a valid reason, they can apply for a postponement.

"The maximum limit to become a trainee is up to the age of 35. MINDEF hopes that this explanation can resolve the confusion and annoyance of the public regarding the age determination of PLKN 3.0 trainees," according to Mindef.

In October, the government agreed to resume PLKN which was abolished in 2018 using a different training approach, with young people undergoing training at military camps.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan has said that 13 territorial army camps will be used for training for a period of 45 days, which can accommodate up to 4,000 trainees.

It was reported earlier that there has been apprehension over talk that the PLKN training would include those who are aged up to 35.

This has become a hot topic on social media, reported Getaran, the Malay-language sister portal of The Vibes.

It said that a majority of the netizens who referred to the matter described such a move as absurd because people who are older than teenagers are almost certainly involved in their own commitments, especially families and permanent jobs.

While some agreed, a few chose to joke about the matter, and uploaded various memes and lampooning images on older people serving in NS. – The Vibes, November 3, 2023