Despite criticisms, Malaysia’s national service programme returns on Jan 12. Third time’s the charm?

Petru Mazilu

The third iteration of the National Service Training Programme - dubbed PLKN 3.0 - will be back via a pilot project from Jan 12 involving 200 school leavers who had applied for the programme voluntarily. KUALA LUMPUR: Almost two decades ago, when Sue Haizal received the call-up to serve in Malaysia’s national service, the now 38-year-old housewife recalled being terrified as she was about to venture into the unknown. She had heard of countless “horror stories” about the programme from her