Program Latihan Khidmat Negara (PLKN) as nation building: a study of participants` perceptions towards the objectives of national integration, volunteerism and loyalty during 2011

Abstract

The Malaysian National Service Programme is a hybrid national service programme. PLKN conscripts youths after their secondary education not to serve in the armed forces or police but to facilitate in nation-building. Today, the main purpose of the Malaysian National Service is to develop in the youths a patriotic love for their country, enhance unity, volunteerism, positive characteristics, good values, and obedience to the government. This study examines the Malaysian National Service Programme to determine if the PLKN is meeting its stated aims of nation-building by addressing issues of racial integration, volunteerism and increased loyalty towards King and country. After six years, the programme needs to be evaluated to ensure its efficiency. To date, there have been no in-depth studies to see if the Malaysian National Service Programme is reaching both its stated and non-stated goals. The concept of conscription, development and the military’s role in national development is a very broad subject. This study does not intend to cover the whole spectrum of theories regarding conscription, development or the military’s role in national development, instead presenting only a basic framework for understanding conscription and the military’s role in national development. This research emphasizes on the Malaysian National Service Programme which is designed to assist in nation building. In racial integration, Malaysia is most concerned with racial harmony to find a common ground among Malaysia’s three major ethnic groups. This study examines the Malaysian Nation Service Programme by using both qualitative and quantitative research methods guided by statistical analysis. A random selection of 420 Malaysian citizens of Form Five secondary students and ex-PLKN trainees were chosen. Surveys were mailed out to this random sample with a representation of Chinese, Indian, and Malay respondents. Through this sample we found that PLKN has been the programme has made some modest improvements in the youths who have participated in the programme.