The controversial clause in the National Service Bill which makes it an offence to incite others from not participating in the programme was retracted due to complaints from the public, said Defence Minister Najib Razak today.

"The government is concerned about the feedback for this programme. The deletion is an indication that the government listens to their grouses," he said while tabling the second reading of the bill at the Dewan Rakyat.

The bill was passed with a two-third majority later in the day.

Under the clause, a person could be fined a maximum of RM10,000 or face a two-year jail term or both if found guilty of inciting any person liable to undergo national service training.