It has been confirmed that only those who have completed the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) will be eligible to participate in the National Service Training Programme (PLKN), which is set to begin in January 2025.
Bernama reported that Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari addressed the confusion surrounding the age limit established for the PLKN programme, as many members of the public had misconceptions about it.
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Anyone who can’t attend can still enrol until they turn 35
Adly pointed out that next year’s main focus is on SPM leavers. He clarified that, according to the act, anyone who can’t attend for different reasons can still sign up until they turn 35.
“Our priority is really on the SPM leavers. There seems to be some confusion about how the intake works. A lot of people think that by 30, most people are already working. To address this, we’ve implemented a policy that gives them some leeway,” he said.
He also shared that starting in January 2025, 1,000 participants will kick off the PLKN programme and will be split between 2 training camps.
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Joiners will be set up for success in their careers
Adly also mentioned that they’ve made some improvements to the training module based on the previous PLKN programme.
He emphasised that what matters is that when participants finish the PLKN program, they’ll be set up for success in their chosen fields.
“For us, it’s all about making sure that when they leave the program, they not only have a strong sense of identity but also the skills they need to excel in their careers,” he said.
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