The National Service Training Programme (PLKN) 3.0, to be implemented in stages from next month, is designed to balance the needs of defence and national unity.

Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said that, unlike other countries which implemented similar programmes to meet the needs of defence challenges due to real threats, Malaysia is holding the PLKN to foster unity in its diverse society.

“We must understand that we should not base the basic PLKN mould on the...