Fights, rioting in Malaysia's NS camps
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http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/asia/story/0,4386,243766,00.html?Fights, rioting in Malaysia's NS camps
National service scheme hit by racially motivated fights, indiscipline, drugs and sexual relations in training camps
By Leslie Lau
MALAYSIA'S national service scheme, launched in the middle of February, was supposed to be a three-month quick fix to promote national integration.
But barely two months into training, reports are now surfacing of rioting and fights in the camps.
Some of these could be racially motivated and there are other cases of indiscipline.
Police have been called to several camps to sort out disputes between trainees and even among trainers.
Drugs have been found in at least one training camp in Penang and there are allegations of sexual relations in some camps.
Some trainers say there is also tension between groups of trainees from different states in Malaysia.
Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak denied any racial motivation in the reported fights and urged Malaysians not to overreact.
'Sometimes youths quarrel over small matters,' he said.
But the authorities are investigating the reports of indiscipline in an attempt to ensure the success of the fledgling scheme.
At least three fights have broken out in the past week, and calls were made to the police to help resolve the conflicts.
At a training camp in Perak, two separate groups of trainees fought each other with plastic chairs.
No one was injured and no arrests were made after police officers helped to settle the dispute.
At the same camp on Thursday, 18-year-old Lee Kin Fei from Ipoh and 13 fellow trainees were kicked and punched by a group of senior trainees.
'One senior trainee pushed me down,' Mr Lee said. 'When one of my friends questioned his action, the group of senior trainees attacked us.'
He did not mention if the groups of trainees were from different racial groups. But he said he and other trainees were assaulted because they refused to pay a sum of money to the senior trainees.
In Penang, camp officials found two tubes of methamphetamine crystals in the bag of a female trainee.
Sources told The Straits Times that cases of sexual relations between trainees have also been uncovered but it was not a widespread problem.
The authorities say although most trainees are disciplined, the fights and riots raised the concerns of parents pressing for solutions to problems in various camps.
The national service scheme consists of three months of military boot camp, community services and character building courses.
About 27,000 youngsters aged 18 began their compulsory national service last month, the first of three batches of 85,000 selected by computerised lottery.
The scheme was conceived by the administration of former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad to reverse years of racial polarisation. -
when things r not well planned, screw ups happen.
and also take note of the part abt sexual abuses. such allegations are bound to occur when both sexes are called up for such communal programmes.
it shows the lack of thought behind the programme. -
Sometimes it is no choice when it comes to youth... they are full of energy and spirit and bound to hav funny things happening... well, dun think everything is alright in our SAF ... many cases are just not reported...
_______________________
sgboy2004, the Good Boi
Croco Corner -
Malaysia probes rape claim in national service
KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - Malaysian police have arrested a national service instructor for allegedly raping a recruit, an offical said Sunday.
Lim Char Boo, head of the police criminal investigation department in northeastern Terengganu state, said the incident happened on April 13 and the instructor was arrested on Wednesday.
"We confirm we have arrested an instructor. He is now under police detention," he was quoted as saying by the official Bernama news agency.
This is the first case of rape reported under the controversial national service programme which has been plagued with problems since its inception in February.
Malaysia started non-military national service training for 18-year-old youths to boost patriotism and racial integration.
But reports of fighting, riots, extortion and sexual harassment have prompted opposition politicians to call for a suspension of the scheme.
On Sunday, deputy prime minister Najib Razak defended the programme.
"I treat all problems related to the national service as challenges rather than criticisms in our effort to prepare our youths for the future," he was quoted as saying by the Sunday Star newspaper.
In a camp in Lumut in the northern Perak state, the commander and nine trainers walked out of the camp after claiming that they have not been paid their salaries as promised.
http://www.brunei-online.com/bb/mon/apr19w3.htm -
well, didn't nel post a story from CNA about weird goings-on in a camp in Similanjau
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Malaysia is very new to National service and being the first batch there bound to be problem..... I think after a few batches things will be better for them..... Till now I still cannot understand how come they have NS since it is not for military purposes.....
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few batches is an understatement.
they're going to need years of refinement. -
1st year but something like 3 batches liaoOriginally posted by Praetorian111:Malaysia is very new to National service and being the first batch there bound to be problem..... I think after a few batches things will be better for them..... Till now I still cannot understand how come they have NS since it is not for military purposes.....