Ipoh: Polytechnics and community colleges (POLYCC) nationwide have been encouraged to continue strengthening student participation in the Territorial Army, with TVET skills regarded as a valuable asset to national defence, deputy army chief Lt Gen Datuk Mohamad Suria Mohamad Saad said. He emphasized the importance of versatile human capital, particularly from polytechnic and community college students, in addressing complex security threats that extend beyond traditional dimensions.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohamad Suria highlighted the significant impact that students with TVET backgrounds can have on the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) and the Malaysian Army (TDM). He noted that TVET graduates currently constitute over 45 per cent of the workforce serving the nation. He spoke at the closing ceremony of the 17th Malaysian Polytechnic Territorial Army Annual Camp (MALPTAAC) 2026 at Politeknik Ungku Omar (PUO), advocating for the active harnessing of this potential through the reserve force to defend the country's sovereignty.
He further stressed the need for young people who are courageous, possess integrity, and demonstrate resilience to become future leaders. The TDM, through its Reserve Force Division, remains committed to delivering relevant, high-quality, and effective training modules. The objective is to provide valuable military training and experience, preparing students to serve as dedicated soldiers willing to defend the nation.
The 17th MALPTAAC 2026, held from June 1 to 15 at PUO, was jointly hosted by the 503rd Regiment (Territorial Army) with support from the TDM and the Polytechnic and Community College Education Department (JPPKK). This year's edition marked the 25th anniversary of MALPTAAC, celebrating a milestone in the development of TVET students. PUO was chosen as the venue due to its historical significance as the host of the inaugural MALPTAAC and its capability to accommodate large-scale programmes.
The programme involved 1,000 students and secretariat members nationwide, who completed the annual camp training. It featured competitions in marching, obstacle crossing, shooting proficiency, and multi-relay events, along with Operations in Built-Up Area (OBUA) training. The ceremony concluded with the presentation of the Overall Champion Challenge Trophy for MALPTAAC Series 17/2026 to PUO, recognizing its outstanding performance in discipline, teamwork, leadership, and achievements across all competition categories.