Kuala Lumpur: Individuals selected to undergo the National Service Training Programme (PLKN) 3.0 are required to attend, and those who are unable to do so must submit an application for deferment. National Service Training Department (JLKN) director-general, Maj Gen Datuk Ya’cob Samiran emphasized the necessity of attendance, stating that working individuals must obtain permission from their employers for leave, and employers must provide justification if they refuse to release their employees for PLKN training.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Maj Gen Datuk Ya’cob Samiran discussed the procedures in place for those unable to secure employer permission during a PLKN 3.0 light weapons shooting training session at the First Battalion, Royal Malay Regiment Shooting Range, Kem Perdana Sungai Besi. He explained that deferment applications are required for the second and subsequent series, while only the first series of PLKN 3.0 allows for voluntary participation.
Regarding the light weapons shooting training, Ya’cob detailed that the training spans two days, with 67 trainees participating on the first day and another 53 scheduled for the following day. The session involves 40 male and 27 female trainees and is supervised by 10 instructors from the Malaysian Army (TDM) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).
Training begins with at least a week of education on weapon management before the live exercises. Initial drills include a 25-metre light weapon calibration followed by a 100-metre shooting drill using the M16 rifle. Safety precautions are emphasized, as evidenced by instructor Capt Muhammad Shawal Mohamad Illias conducting a safety briefing prior to the start of training.
On January 12, the first series of PLKN 3.0 for 2025 welcomed 120 trainees, comprising 80 men and 40 women aged 18 to 25. This group includes 13 individuals who registered as walk-ins at the 515 Territorial Army Regiment Camp, representing a wide range of ethnic, religious, educational, and local backgrounds.
Maj Gen Datuk Ya’cob also addressed the logistics of military fatigues for PLKN 3.0 trainees, citing them as a cost-effective and efficient uniform solution. He clarified that using different uniforms would increase both time and cost, and noted that the current camouflage attire will be returned post-training for reuse by future trainees.