National Service training, Civics Bureau abolished – Syed Saddiq

KUALA LUMPUR: The government has decided to abolish the National Service Training Programme (PLKN) and the National Civics Bureau (BTN) with immediate effect, Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said yesterday.

He said the decision was made last week at the meeting of the Cabinet which found that PLKN and BTN had been misused for the purpose of the indoctrination of certain beliefs.

PLKN and BTN would be replaced with new programmes that would focus on shaping visionary youths.

“For the moment, all PLKN and BTN officers and assets will be placed under the jurisdiction of the Youth and Sports Ministry before the new programmes are introduced.

“An engagement with all stakeholders involved will be set. We will also meet with Khazanah (Nasional Berhad) to forge collaboration in drawing up these programmes,” he said at a press conference at the Parliament lobby.

On another matter, Syed Saddiq said the 1Malaysia for Youth (iM4U) would be restructured to ensure that the actual objective of the programme was implemented because it was found that it had been misused for political purposes.

“We will overhaul the iM4U to bring volunteerism to young people. Selection under the programme will also be reviewed so that only those qualified and experienced in volunteer programmes are chosen,” he said.

Asked about the welfare and aid programmes of the National Athletes Welfare Foundation (YAKEB) which might have to be terminated due to the absence of funds, Syed Saddiq said the ministry had agreed to provide aid.