Malaysia’s National Service Training Programme will expand to 13 camps and 25,000 trainees annually by 2027, with new intakes starting this year.
PEKAN: The National Service Training Programme (PLKN) will expand its annual intake to approximately 25,000 trainees with the opening of 13 training camps nationwide.
National Service Training Department director Colonel Mazlizan Shaikh Osman said the first intake for 2026 will offer 750 slots across two existing camps.
The 505 Territorial Army Camp in Sungai Miang, Pekan will accommodate 500 male trainees, while 250 female trainees will be based at the 515 Territorial Army Camp in Kuala Lumpur.
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“Currently, the intake involves only these two camps, but plans are underway to open 11 more,” he said during a registration event at the 505 camp.
Each new camp will be capable of accommodating between 300 and 700 trainees per training session.
All 13 camps are expected to be fully operational by the end of 2027, enabling four training sessions annually.
The second session of PLKN this year will run from April 28 to June 8 and will involve only the initial two camps.
Two additional camps in Gemas, Negeri Sembilan and Bukit Keteri, Perlis will be activated for the third session from July 11 to August 24.
Another camp in Kluang, Johor will open for the fourth session, scheduled from October 3 to November 16.
Trainee Ivan Choong, 18, from Perlis expressed mixed emotions about his selection for the programme.
“I’m excited to join PLKN as I’ll get to meet many new friends from different backgrounds, but I’m also sad because this will be the first time I won’t be spending Chinese New Year with my family,” he said.
Khor Jia Onn, 18, from Cameron Highlands shared similar sentiments about missing family celebrations.
Another trainee, Ahmad Darwis Haiqal Yuslizar, 18, views the programme as an opportunity to acquire new skills in basic military training and enhance personal discipline. – Bernama
