The goverment said today it planned to make national service compulsory for youths after forming a special cabinet committee to draw up implementation plans.

Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the cabinet would make a final decision on whether to go ahead with plans for national service after studying the committee's report.

But he made clear that it would be made compulsory once given the green light by the cabinet.

"Of course national service is compulsory. There is no national service that isn't compulsory. A national service that isn't compulsory would be imperfect or incomplete," he told reporters.

The special committee is headed by Defence Minister Najib Razak, and includes four other ministers.

Special legislation

Najib yesterday said the committee would study the curriculum module, the period of service, the age of eligible participants, costs and allowances.

In a move to make the national service compulsory, he said the government would introduce special legislation, including penalties for non-compliance.

He told AFP that the national service would "not be in the conventional sense that it is based on military form," although there would be basic military training.

"We will develop our own model. We will take into account all factors, and report to the government for the final decision," he added.

The proposal for national service, made over the weekend at a National Patriotism Congress attended by members of parliament, was backed by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad who said it would instill greater patriotism and self-discipline, and boost racial integration.

Neighbouring Singapore already requires all able-bodied males to render national military service for about two-and-a-half years upon reaching the age of 18. AFP