Previously, we shared how the National Service Training Program (PLKN) is now officially back after a 7-month hiatus, with PLKN 3.0 Series 1/2025 only involving volunteers and currently ongoing at the 515th Territorial Army Regiment Camp in Kuala Lumpur until 25 February.
For Series 2/2025 (11 May to 2 June 2025) and Series 3/2025 (7 September to 21 October 2025), they will involve Malaysians aged between 16 and 35 years, with National Service Training Department (JLKN) director-general Maj Gen Datuk Ya’cob Samiran recently stressing that attendance is compulsory for those selected.
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With that in mind, if you’re selected, skipping PLKN 3.0 may not be the brightest idea as you can face strict punishments, which even include imprisonment.
Here’s everything you should know:
National Service Training Act 2003
Speaking to WORLD OF BUZZ, Nik Nur Aisyah, a partner at Kuala Lumpur-based law firm ADIL Legal, elaborated that PLKN 3.0 is based on the National Service Training Act 2003, which has several provisions dealing with those who fail to show up to the programme after selection.
These include Section 18 of the Act below, which specifically deals with failure to attend national service training.
Section 18(1) details that any person who fails to present themselves for national service training after being selected to do so is deemed to have committed an offence. If convicted, the individual may face imprisonment of up to 6 months, a RM3,000 fine, or both.
Aisyah added that Section 18(2) further established that irrespective of the finding of guilt for failure to attend PLKN, the individual will still be liable to undergo the programme.
In other words, even if you’re convicted and underwent the punishment for not attending PLKN, you still need to undergo the programme.
Meanwhile, Section 19(2) prescribes the same punishment for those convicted of the offence of persuading, endeavouring to persuade, procuring or attempting to procure any person undergoing PLKN to absent themselves without leave.
It is also an offence for anyone who’s undergoing PLKN to persuade, endeavour to persuade, procure or attempt to procure any other person undergoing PLKN to absent themselves. If convicted, Section 19(3) of the Act prescribes the individual to be ordered to perform community service.
You can apply to defer going to PLKN 3.0 if you can’t attend
Of course, there are always exceptions to the general rule, and in this case, Section 20 of the National Service Training Act 2003 said that trainees are allowed to postpone going to PLKN 3.0 should they face “exceptional hardship” by attending the programme.
To do so, those selected must apply for postponement, and if approved, they will be given a certificate of postponement, which can also be renewed.
As an example, the Ministry of Defence’s PLKN 3.0 FAQ page revealed that those who are furthering their studies are allowed to defer their participation in national service training.
With that in mind, Aisyah asserted that if you’re granted a certificate of postponement and there’s a change of circumstances or conditions for the reason of the certificate being granted, Section 21 of the Act requires you to notify the change in the prescribed manner to the proper authority.
The authority may then shorten the certificate of postponement or even revoke it.
If you fail to notify the change in condition, you can be deemed to have committed an offence and may face up to 3 months in jail, a RM1,000 fine or both, as per the legislation’s general penalty prescribed in Section 31 of the Act.
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So, what do you guys think of PLKN returning after a 7-year hiatus? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
Also read: PLKN 3.0 Officially Resumes After 7-Year Hiatus With Over 130 Volunteers
