National Service or National Silliness
Wednesday, January 3rd, 2007 | 5:52 pm @ SK
Credit must be given to Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak for the confession, expressing his regret over the transportation woes faced by trainees. However, whatever explanation that had been given, the fact is, nasi sudah jadi bubur.
Malaysia National Service or Program Latihan Khidmat Negara (PLKN) was first proposed in late 2001, brought to committee the next year, and finally brought to action in 2003.
4 years down the road and we’re stucked with what, transportation problem? It’s not even the start of the NS and yet, trainees already have unnecessary hurdles to face.
And the pointing show begins. First, The National Service Training Department Director-general Abdul Halim Abdul Hamid said the problem was caused by the failure of some of the bus companies hired to transport the trainees to get temporary permits. Whose problem? Bus companies. But, who appointed them? Who are responsible to ensure things are in order?
Second, National Service Training Council chairman Lee Lam Thye said he is upset with the issue and saying that he could resign, but that would not solve the problem as he wasn’t the one responsible for transportation. He added that his duty was to monitor and strengthen the programme and instill confidence in parents.
Mr. Chairman, you’re damn right, you’re not responsible for transportation but you’re responsibile to monitor and strenghthen the programme, aren’t you? So, if the damn transportation arrangement is not working out well, does that mean you’re neglecting your job in monitoring the programme? If trivial issue like transportation can’t even being worked out properly, how are you going to strengthen the programme? During an interview shown by TV3 nightline (3 January 2007, 12am), didn’t you say that you talk about NS during your breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as dreaming about NS while you’re sleeping? So, can’t you forsee transportation problem since you talk and dream so much about NS?
In the end of the day, machais denied its their faults. So, whose fault? Never mind the fact that someone over the bridge is poking fun at us.