The National Service programme training modules will be reviewed closely based on feedback received from the pioneer batch of 25,000 participants who ended their stint today, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said.

He said each participant will be given an evaluation form to be returned tomorrow prior to leaving for their homes.

"The analysis provided by the responses will form the basis for changes that may be needed in future national service programmes," he told reporters in Serdang today.

He said the National Service Training Department will forward an assessment report to the National Service Council which will then submit a report to the cabinet. Najib chairs the cabinet committee for national service.

"The feedback we receive on curriculum, accommodation, food and the training modules will take a few weeks to analyse," he said, adding the government is also seeking public feedback.

"I know people have been writing to the press. We are also seeking the public's views. They can write directly to me or to the National Service Training Department," said Najib.

On whether the budget for the NS would be increased for the next round, he said it would depend on whether the government could afford it. "I do not like to give a piecemeal answer. Let me do a thorough analysis based on all the feedback first."

The National Service Council had previously stated that the RM500 million allocated by the government for the programme's implementation was insufficient.

Duration remains

Najib, who is also defence minister, earlier presented certificates to 1,140 national service trainees who completed 11 weeks of the programme at Universiti Putra Malaysia.

He said there were no plans to extend the duration of the three-month programme to avoid clashing with Form Six and public university intakes which begin in June and July.

"We will discuss with the universities first on the timing for future national service programmes."

In his speech, Najib acknowledged the problems faced in the programme's implementation. "But this does not mean it is a failure. The government will review every aspect of the implementation and will try to rectify the weaknesses."

The deputy prime minister stressed the importance of national integration, racial unity and the strengthening of the spirit of patriotism in the national quest to achieve excellence, glory and distinction.

"We live in a compartmentalised society where we may not know the culture or recognise each other's sensitivities. We want to erase the lines that divide us and the programme is, among others, designed to achieve this."

He also hoped that the participants would experience positive changes in their lives once they returned to their daily routines, including being more open to community service.

Continuity move

Najib also announced a cabinet decision for the youth and sports ministry to follow-up the national service programme through the Rakan Muda movement.

"Names of NS participants will be forwarded to the youth and sports ministry so that there is some continuity as at the secondary level, it is compulsory for students to join a uniformed body.

"After that, they have the national service. Then, they will move on to various Rakan Muda programmes," he explained.

The first national service met with a huge public outcry and calls by rights advocates and opposition parties to suspend or completely scrap the programme following allegations of sexual harassment, gang fights, an alleged rape, inept trainers and one case of drowning.

However, the government has been adamant about continuing the programme, citing long-term benefits for the country's youngsters.