Politics of national service in Malaysia

P. Ramasamy Professor, Political Science Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia The Straits Times Asia News Network Singapore

Nation-building in multi-ethnic societies can take many routes. Ideally, it would be preferable to build politically stable and prosperous societies by giving more attention to resolving problems of ethnic and social discrimination. National service (NS), the idea of compulsory military service for youths, might not be a bad idea provided, of course, that there are immediate threats to a nation from outside.

Some countries like Singapore and Israel have introduced NS based on strong threat perceptions. It is rather doubtful whether Malaysia is in a similar position.

Last month, following the National Patriotism Congress hosted by the Malaysian government, the idea of a compulsory military service for youths was mooted. A special Cabinet committee headed by Defense Minister Najib Tun Razak was formed to study the implementation of the plan. Since then, four sub-committees -- legislative, curriculum, financial and logistic -- have been formed to draft out the details of NS.

According to Datuk Seri Najib, the objective of NS is to inculcate the spirit of patriotism and self-discipline in youths. All youths aged 18, who have completed Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) or GCE O-level examinations, would have to complete the proposed six-month NS stint.

It would be mandatory and only those with valid health problems would be exempted. It would not be a copy of the models of other countries, but will take a distinctively Malaysian character.

It would not be run along military lines, although some basic military training such as marching and shooting skills will be provided. It is expected that NS will begin in 2004.

The public's response to NS has not been very enthusiastic. Only those identified with the government have welcomed the initiative. By and large, Malaysians are not very convinced that it would be able to take off in an effective manner to address the stated aims of the government.

Although NS is a good idea, there is a strong feeling that it might not be very appropriate to Malaysia as the country is not facing any immediate threat. Moreover, there is no perception that outside forces are waiting to undermine the national security of the country.

Since national service is predicated on the need to instill self-confidence and patriotism among youths, it is felt that other ways should be found to address these objectives. Compulsory NS might be too expensive and too time-consuming to resolve problems of loyalty and discipline, best left to other existing social institutions.

Given the nature of ethnic and social stratification in the country, brought about mainly by the nature of ethnic politicking, it would be impossible for NS to tackle and resolve problems of integration. It might identify the symptoms but not the underlying cause of ethnic and social tensions.

In this respect, what is needed is not another institutional formation, but rather for the government to ascertain the fundamental causes of racial and religious problems among Malaysians.

The government is in the habit of putting the cart before the horse. In the last few years or so, major policy decisions were announced without the benefit of consultation and study.

The decision to introduce the teaching of science and mathematics in the English language in all primary schools is one good example.

The announcement of compulsory NS has taken many sections of Malaysian society by surprise. Many are not sure why the government jumped to this decision without the benefit of extensive intellectual preparation.

Apart from the stated aims, there are reasons to believe that NS might also have other objectives. It would not be too wrong to state that it could be intended to prop up political support for the present government among the youths on a long-term basis.

The opposition parties in the country also think along this line. The six-month intensive program would be able to provide the government with the opportunity and capability to explain its policies and do other propaganda work to ensure that youths could be counted on in later years, especially during general election.

Anyway, whatever the aims of the government, the announcement of the NS proposal has not come at an appropriate time.

The controversy surrounding the introduction of the English language in the teaching of science and mathematics is not over yet. Significant sections of Malaysian society are still opposed to the government over the issue. There is strong feeling that it does not care about the feelings of society.

It is quite obvious that NS is not going to be accepted automatically by the public in Malaysia. There is a real need for the government to obtain sufficient feedback before a decision is made to adopt the policy.

Whether the government is going to do this is not clear. But then, with the next general election not too far away, it has to consider carefully the implications of imposing a decision that might not be popular.