PADANG BESAR, Aug 24 (Bernama) -- An effectiveness analysis of the National Service Training Programme (PLKN) 3.0 Series 2/2026 has shown that the programme had a positive impact on trainee development, with the average score rising from 74.35 per cent before training to 87.44 per cent upon completion.
According to the National Service Training Department (JLKN), the findings were based on a study conducted by the department in collaboration with three public universities, with all six key indicators recording improvements after the trainees completed their training.
The indicators assessed were patriotism and loyalty, unity and tolerance, discipline and self-transformation, mental resilience and preparedness, military competencies, and volunteerism.
“The findings show that PLKN 3.0 is not merely about exposing trainees to basic military training, but also plays a role in developing trainees who are more disciplined, resilient, competent and patriotic, with a stronger spirit of unity and volunteerism,” JLKN said in a statement issued in conjunction with the closing ceremony of the PLKN 3.0 Series 3/2026 Wira Muda Negara Training.
The ceremony was officiated by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Dr Johari Abdul at the National Service Training Branch (CLKN) at the 504th Territorial Army Camp in Bukit Keteri near here today.
Meanwhile, JLKN director-general Major General Datuk Marzuki Mokhtar told reporters that the department was targeting more than 4,200 PLKN trainees this year, with the number expected to increase to 10,520 next year.
He said the number of participants for PLKN 3.0 Series 4/2026 would be increased through the addition of five CLKN camps, including the use of training centres operated by the Malaysian Volunteer Corps Department (RELA).
“The five new camps are in Bukit Pinang and Bukit Selambau in Kedah; Hutan Melintang in Perak; Sungai Durian in Kelantan; and Tuaran in Sabah,” he said.
Marzuki said the three existing camps were the 504th Territorial Army Camp in Perlis, the 505th in Pahang and the 515th in Kuala Lumpur.
“The next series next year may see the addition of more RELA training centres. The use of government assets will indirectly help reduce costs and increase the number of trainees.
“If all 13 camps can be opened, we will be able to accommodate up to 25,400 trainees a year,” he said.
-- BERNAMA