KUALA LUMPUR: A teenage boy’s burning interest in uniformed bodies spurred him on to make the 135-kilometre (km) journey on a bus on his own to the capital to sign up for the National Service Training Programme (PLKN) 3.0.
Chee Ming Hang, 20, a Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Temerloh Form Six student, left Temerloh yesterday evening and spent the night at a friend’s house here just so that he could be on time to register himself at the Territorial Army’s 515th Regiment Camp this morning.
Advertisement“I have long dreamt of being a PLKN trainee as I want to experience what life is like in uniform. I also am interested to become a soldier as they look handsome in their uniforms,” he told reporters after completing the programme’s screening session.
He learnt of the programme from his teacher and seemed excited about meeting new friends, describing the programme as the best medium for youth like him to learn more about unity.
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He was one of the first trainees to show up at the camp at 7.30 am, having left Puchong at 6.30 am on his motorcycle.
Advertisement (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“I really am interested in (PLKN 3.0), because I was a cadet previously. In fact, I’m currently taking a Diploma in Legal Enforcement in a private college,” he shared.
Another trainee, U Mugesh Varmaan, 19, expressed his determination to complete the programme as he wanted to join the armed forces.
Advertisement (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“I learnt about PLKN 3.0 through the college and want to use this opportunity to make my dream of being in the armed forces a reality,” he told reporters in the company of his mother M Sivaneswary, 45, who came from Klang together with him.
Sivaneswary, who did express a bit of anxiety at being apart from her youngest son for 45 days, was also proud of him for showing interest in the programme and hoped that he would benefit from the training.
“It is quite a long period but he will likely learn many new things, for instance, how to be independent when I’m not around.
“I also hope that other parents won’t worry about sending their children to sign up for this programme as I find that their safety is taken care of in the camp and the facilities are all in proper order,” she added.
The PLKN has been reintroduced by the government after its abolishment seven years ago to encourage patriotism, strengthen unity and build character among youth and to equip them with the strength to face life’s challenges through physical and mental training.
A total of 120 volunteer trainees throughout the country reported in for the programme that began today and will undergo training till Feb 25.
