Worry over beach clean-up proposal for NS trainees
Nurul NazirinPublished: Jan 3, 2005 10:18 AM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 10:21 AM
A proposal to send National Service (NS) trainees to "clean up" beaches affected by last Sunday's tsunami has raised more questions than answers - and concern over the safety of the trainees.
A proposal to send National Service (NS) trainees to "clean up" beaches affected by last Sunday's tsunami has raised more questions than answers - and concern over the safety of the trainees.
National Service Training Department director Kamaruddin Mohamed Baria was reported in Utusan Malaysia today as saying that trainees in Penang, Kedah, Perlis and Perak may be sent out to provide such services as part of their training programme.
Apart from physical training and character building, the three-month NS scheme also emphasises patriotism and community service.
Contacted this afternoon, Kamaruddin said details of his proposal would be discussed later this week with the respective state secretaries. They will work out the number of trainees to be involved, as well as the mechanism and duration of the clean-up.
If implemented, this will see trainees being taken by bus to the beaches "probably once or twice a week".
However, Universiti Malaya Student Representative Council former president Muhd Ramadhan Fitri Ellias urged caution, saying the trainees should not be used to solve the problems of local authorities.
"They can assist in easing the community's burden, but should not be manipulated as volunteers or be made to contribute beyond their means," he told malaysiakini today.
"For instance, the process of locating and saving people is not appropriate for trainees. They should not be exposed to this risk, as they don't have the required skills."
He also urged that the proposal be carefully considered as the trainees could be exposed to the risk of aftershocks from the seabed earthquake that caused the tsunami and widespread loss of lives and damage to property.
Ramadhan cautioned, too, that parents may not approve of their children being sent to carry out a responsibility for which they are not prepared.
If the department insists on implementing the proposal, Ramadhan said the trainees should receive adequate training and guidance and should be closely monitored throughout the process.
"The duties of the trainees and the scope of the clean-up should be clearly spelt out," he said.
He also expressed surprise that the trainees may be made to do community service even before they have completed other modules which come first in the programme.
Safety precautions
However, Kamaruddin gave the assurance that every possible safety precaution would be taken, including being watchful for tsunami alerts.
" I'm sure there will be warnings some hours ahead, for which we will be alert. We will make sure the safety of the participants comes first," he said, while pointing out that some natural disasters are beyond anyone's control and that these could occur anywhere.
Kamaruddin said he was aware that parents would be worried over the safety of their children.
"But once we explain carefully to them, I feel that both trainees and their parents will accept this move," he said.
He also said the proposal was aimed at reinforcing the spirit of volunteerism among young Malaysians through community service.
The National Service programme is into its second year, with 27,400 trainees currently based at 72 camps nationwide. They reported for the compulsory scheme last month.
National Service Training Department director Kamaruddin Mohamed Baria was reported in Utusan Malaysia today as saying that trainees in Penang, Kedah, Perlis and Perak may be sent out to provide such services as part of their training programme.
Apart from physical training and character building, the three-month NS scheme also emphasises patriotism and community service.
Contacted this afternoon, Kamaruddin said details of his proposal would be discussed later this week with the respective state secretaries. They will work out the number of trainees to be involved, as well as the mechanism and duration of the clean-up.
If implemented, this will see trainees being taken by bus to the beaches "probably once or twice a week".
However, Universiti Malaya Student Representative Council former president Muhd Ramadhan Fitri Ellias urged caution, saying the trainees should not be used to solve the problems of local authorities.
"They can assist in easing the community's burden, but should not be manipulated as volunteers or be made to contribute beyond their means," he told malaysiakini today.
"For instance, the process of locating and saving people is not appropriate for trainees. They should not be exposed to this risk, as they don't have the required skills."
He also urged that the proposal be carefully considered as the trainees could be exposed to the risk of aftershocks from the seabed earthquake that caused the tsunami and widespread loss of lives and damage to property.
Ramadhan cautioned, too, that parents may not approve of their children being sent to carry out a responsibility for which they are not prepared. If the department insists on implementing the proposal, Ramadhan said the trainees should receive adequate training and guidance and should be closely monitored throughout the process.
"The duties of the trainees and the scope of the clean-up should be clearly spelt out," he said.
He also expressed surprise that the trainees may be made to do community service even before they have completed other modules which come first in the programme.
Safety precautions
However, Kamaruddin gave the assurance that every possible safety precaution would be taken, including being watchful for tsunami alerts.
" I'm sure there will be warnings some hours ahead, for which we will be alert. We will make sure the safety of the participants comes first," he said, while pointing out that some natural disasters are beyond anyone's control and that these could occur anywhere.
Kamaruddin said he was aware that parents would be worried over the safety of their children.
"But once we explain carefully to them, I feel that both trainees and their parents will accept this move," he said. He also said the proposal was aimed at reinforcing the spirit of volunteerism among young Malaysians through community service.
The National Service programme is into its second year, with 27,400 trainees currently based at 72 camps nationwide. They reported for the compulsory scheme last month.
View Comments0