Tuaran: Bad weather affecting several areas in the State did not dampen the spirit of National Service Training Programme (PLKN) 3.0 Series 4/2026 trainees who registered at the Sabah Rela Training Centre (PLRNS), here, Saturday.
Some trainees even began their journey as early as 2am from their respective districts to ensure they did not miss the opportunity to join the programme.
Among them was Nurhakim Asirun, 18, from Batu 3, Sandakan, who sees PLKN as an early step towards realising his ambition of joining the military.
Nurhakim said he was excited and eager after receiving the offer to join PLKN via SMS and had been undergoing physical training since completing secondary school in preparation for his ambition.
“Recently, I underwent a physical test to join the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), but was unsuccessful due to high blood pressure. However, the failure did not dampen my spirit,” he said.
He said he viewed PLKN as an opportunity to improve his fitness, discipline and mental resilience, while using the programme as motivation to continue pursuing his military ambition.
Nurhakim said he and his family left Sandakan at 2am to avoid possible travel disruptions such as floods and fallen trees.
“I want to use this opportunity to join PLKN as motivation and early training to prepare myself before trying to join the military again,” he said.
Norida Chen, 18, from Kinarut, Papar, left her job with a courier company after six months to gain a new experience through PLKN 3.0.
Norida said she was initially surprised when she received the offer but became excited after watching several PLKN videos on YouTube, which encouraged her to take up the new experience.
“I am very excited because I have never had an experience like this before, and my parents also support my decision,” she said.
For Clara Jay Jimmy, 18, from Kudat, the opportunity to join PLKN 3.0 was welcomed with excitement as she viewed it as a chance to learn new things, build confidence and meet people from different backgrounds.
“I was very happy and excited when I received the offer to join PLKN. Although I initially did not know what the experience would be like, I see this as an opportunity to learn new things and build my confidence,” she said.
Noralyashazwanie, 18, from Rampayan, Manggatal, admitted feeling nervous when she first reported for the programme but said she was determined to take up the challenge and hoped to adapt quickly.
“I was nervous because this is a new experience for me, but I tried to be brave and see PLKN as a challenge that I have to take up.
“I hope to learn many things during the training and become more disciplined and confident,” she said.
National Service Training Department (JLKN) Training Operations Division Director Royal Malaysian Air Force Colonel Mazlizan Shaikh Osman said the response to PLKN 3.0 Series 4/2026 was encouraging, with 2,009 trainees confirming their attendance at eight camps nationwide.
He said the figure exceeded the recruitment target of 1,203 trainees for the series and contributed towards achieving the annual target of 4,200 trainees for 2026.
He said the response also demonstrated positive public acceptance of PLKN 3.0.
“This is a very positive development and shows that PLKN 3.0 is increasingly gaining acceptance among the public, particularly parents who view the programme as a beneficial platform for developing their children’s character,” he said.
Mazlizan said the positive response was also supported by a parent satisfaction assessment, with all six key elements evaluated recording more than 90 per cent positive feedback.
The validation assessment conducted by JLKN with Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) involved 571 parents among the 4,199 trainees from the previous series.
The assessment covered patriotism and loyalty, unity and tolerance, discipline and self-transformation, mental resilience and preparedness, volunteerism and programme effectiveness.
Overall, the six elements recorded an average of 95.55 per cent for combined “Strongly Agree” and “Agree” responses, with programme effectiveness recording the highest score of 97.98 per cent.
PLKN 3.0 Series 4/2026 runs from Oct 3 to Nov 16, involving eight camps nationwide, including PLRNS in Tuaran, which accommodates 251 male and female trainees.
A total of 250 trainees were scheduled to report in Sabah Saturday.
The PLKN authorities have also allowed trainees to arrive up to two days late due to bad weather and long-distance travel factors in the State.
