Malaysia’s revamped National Service Training Programme, known as PLKN 3.0, is set to begin in January 2025, confirmed Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari. Initially, the programme will operate in two military camps—one in Kuala Lumpur and another in Pahang—before expanding to 13 camps across Malaysia by 2026. This reintroduction of PLKN follows a RM50 million government allocation, aimed at jumpstarting the program earlier than originally scheduled.

The January rollout will see an initial cohort of approximately 500 participants, with a larger intake expected in June 2025. The program is open to Malaysians aged 16 to 35, targeting Form Four students, Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) leavers, and students from higher education institutions. The goal is to foster discipline, patriotism, and skill development, particularly in Malaysia’s youth.

Adly announced these updates during the “Projek Jiwa Murni” event in Malacca, where 10 houses belonging to low-income families and veterans of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) received government-funded repairs, with a total allocation of RM138,500.