Kota tinggi: Around 30 per cent of participants from the first two series of the National Service Training Programme (PLKN) 3.0 failed to report for training due to various reasons, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin. He stated that the primary reasons for absenteeism were health issues and offers to pursue higher education.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, each series of PLKN 3.0 has recorded an absentee rate of about 10 to 15 per cent, with most absences attributed to valid reasons such as illness or recent university placements. Mohamed Khaled shared these insights with reporters following the opening ceremony of the Kembara Lestari Kota Tinggi event with Universiti Malaysia Pahang Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) at Felda Lok Heng Barat.

Mohamed Khaled further mentioned that PLKN 3.0 is still in its trial phase, with full implementation anticipated to commence next year. The programme, which includes a 45-day training period, has received positive feedback from participants. Particularly, the military training elements have been praised for their effectiveness in instilling discipline and fostering a sense of identity.

Participants from the previous two series have expressed satisfaction with the programme and have requested enhancements to the military training content. The PLKN 3.0 Series 1/2025 was conducted at the 515th Territorial Army Regiment Camp in Kuala Lumpur from January 12 to February 25. Series 2/2025 took place from May 11 to June 24, while Series 3 is scheduled from September 7 to October 21 at both the 515th Territorial Army Regiment Camp and the 505th Territorial Army Regiment Camp in Pekan, Pahang.