Is it “National Service”?

Below is the detail of incidents occurred at Malaysia National Service:

2008

High fever, Kem Desaru Gerak Khas, Kota Tinggi, Johor, on 31 May. 58 trainees came down with vomiting and high fever on 31 May, and were admitted to Kota Tinggi Hospital. The incident began when trainees began to fall sick after returning to camp on 28 May, from the Wirajaya module (a two-day jungle trekking exercise). Food poisoning, Kem Barracuda, Setiu Agro, Terengganu, on 29 May. 67 trainees developed stomachaches believed to be caused by due to food poisoning on 28 May, barely a week after nine trainees from the same camp suffered the same ailment. Fourteen trainees were warded in the Setiu Hospital, while 53 received outpatient treatment. Four food handlers at the camp also received outpatient treatments at the same hospital. The food was catered from outside, as the camp's canteen had been closed after the May 23 incident when four of the trainees were warded for food poisoning. Food poisoning, Kem Barracuda, Setiu Agro, Terrenganu, on 23 May. Nine trainees fell ill due to food poisoning, with four trainees being warded at Setiu Hospital. The camp's canteen was subsequently closed down. Outbreak of unknown fever, Kem PLKN Jiwa Murni, Semanggol, Perak, in late April. At least 10 trainees were warded at the Taiping Hospital, while 80 others were being treated at the camp, and all trainees were given blood tests, for an outbreak of an unidentified fever. The Kerian district health office placed the camp under quarantine. The quarantine was only discovered a few days after being initialized, when parents were turned away from picking up their children for a scheduled weeklong break. Lost in jungle, Kem Lagenda Gunung Ledang, Jasin, Malacca, on 30 April. Twenty-three lost their way during a jungle trekking exercise at Asahan Forest Reserve. The instructor in charge of the group was subsequently dismissed with immediate effect for negligence.

2007

Food poisoning, Sri Impian Camp, Sungai Bakap, Penang, on 30 December. Trainees suffered food poisoning due to food served on the first day of camp, 30 December.

2005

Food poisoning, PDS Resort Camp, Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan, on 16 May. 60 trainees and instructors at Pusat Latihan Khidmat Negara, Port Dickson Camp, Negeri Sembilan.

2004

Rape, Merang Camp, Setiu, Terengganu, on 28 February. A female trainee, 17, was raped by Corporal Zuki Mohd, 30, in a Perodua Kancil in the Rhu Tapai agro-industrial estate in Setiu between 7.28pm and 9.10pm on February 28. Zuki Mohd had been employed as a physical module instructor at Merang Camp. The trial began on 14 December 2004 at the Terengganu Sessions Court, and ended on 20 December 2005. Zuki, a military personnel from Kampung Bari Besar, Setiu, was convicted of raping the girl by the Terengganu Sessions Court and was sentenced to 12 years' jail and three strokes of the rotan. The female trainee later sued the trainer as well as the government for negligence. Lost in jungle, Ovai Wawasan Camp, Papar, Sabah, on 21 February. Around 600 trainees and instructors were lost for almost 12 hours after following the wrong trail during what was meant to be an hour-long afternoon hiking trip. Except for kitchen staff, trainees who had gone to church that day, and several staff members who stayed behind to keep an eye on camp facilities, close to the entire 600+ member camp were involved in the hiking trip. After close to 12 hours, a full name count was finally issued at 2 am.

Trainee Fatalities while serving Khidmat Negara

2008

Too Hui Min, 18, attached to Kem Geo Kosmo, Behrang, Selangor. Passed away on 7 May at Slim River Hospital, Perak, three days after she started complaining of constipation. The cause of death was later determined as being toxic megacolon - her colon had been swollen and the lining had thinned due to septicemia. Her family is desperate to know why she wasn't sent to the hospital earlier.The most recent letter publish at www.malaysiakini.com by the tittle "NS only 46 times less lethal than Iraq War" claim the figure to be 21. Afiz Zuhairi Ahmat Rozali, 18, attached to Kem Sentosa, Chenderiang, Perak. Died on 16 April at Teluk Intan Hospital, Perak, after a brief febrile illness. He was treated by camp paramedics several times before finally being transferred to hospital where he died in less than 24 hours.

2007

Teng Shian Shen, 18 attached to Kem Pasir Panjang, Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan. Died two weeks after being asked to return home from her training at the Pasir Panjang due to breathing difficulties. Ili Ameera Azlan, 17, attached to Kem Ayer Keroh, Ayer Keroh, Melaka. Died on 18 January at Malacca Hospital, after suffering breathing difficulties. The parents were paid RM 35,000. Prema Elenchelian, 18, attached to Kem Kisana Beach Resort, Pasir Puteh, Kelantan. The trainee from Kajang, Selangor, was found unconscious in a toilet at Jeram Linang (0230 hours) on 1 March. She was taken to the Tengku Anis Hospital where she was pronounced dead. Prema's death brought to 12 the number of trainees who have died since the programme began in 2004. Mohd Rafi Ameer, 18, attached to Cheneh Cemerlang Camp, Kemaman, Pahang. Died at 10.30pm on 3 September, after having fever for 1 week. Rafi had previously called his sister and told her that he had a fever, and that his leg had been swollen for nearly a week after he fell during training.

2006

Haziq Jaafar, 17, attached to Kem Padang Hijau, Kluang, Johor. The trainee from Kota Tinggi, Johor, died after a fight with another trainee at Kem Padang Hijau.

2005

Nurul Ashikin Karino, 17, attached to Kem Shan Sui, Tawau, Sabah. Died on 14 May after being injured during training. Karino Jalani (father of the deceased) claimed that he was not allowed to meet his daughter who fell and was injured as part of a training accident. S. Theresa Pauline, 17, attached to Kem Karisma, Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan. Died on 11 June after being admitted to the hospital on 23 May due to having fits. Her death was attributed to viral meningoencephalitis. Her father, S. Sarimuthu was paid RM 32,000.

2004

Awang Mohd Fazil Awang Borhan, 17, attached to Kem Simalajau, Bintulu, Sarawak. Died on 23 April in a drowning accident. He had been swimming with 36 other trainees at Sungai Cina, Matang, Kuching, Sarawak.T. Saravana, 18, attached to Kem Ethnobotany, Gua Musang, Kelantan. The trainee from 1614A Hospital Quarters, Taiping, Perak drowned while picnicking at Sungai Taman Wangi, Gua Musang, about 3 kilometres from his camp, with 250 trainees and 10 trainers.

NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINEES

Its a good programme which builds team work and discipline, shapes patriotism and united the Malaysians from various background, but the worsening problems causes more and more fatalities, injuries and unwanted incidents worry the parents. Take proper actions before Malaysians completely loose their commitment on the programme! Luckily I have not been registered as National service trainee. Judge yourself! The parents educated their children and rising them up and monitoring them grow from time to time, each and every stage, providing them the best, giving them what ever they wish, educating them, disciplining them, teaching them the faith toward God, respect elders and etc. Then come a day, when suddenly someone demanding their children to hand over to him in the name of “National Service”. The person brings these children away from the parent’s and they “kill” these children. And the person dares to say the death figures still in small number. Whats going on?