16th MAF Chief Appointed Chairman Of National Service Council
GENERAL
KUALA LUMPUR, May 5 (Bernama) -- The 16th Chief of the Malaysian Armed Forces Tan Sri Dr Abdul Aziz Zainal, who was Chief of Army from 2004-2007, has been appointed chairman of the National Service Training Council to monitor the re-implementation of the National Service (PLKN) 3.0, effective from April 14 (2025) to April 13, 2028.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said his appointment had been approved by His Majesty, Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia in accordance with the provisions of Section 7 of the National Service Training Act 2003 (Act 628) before it was announced.
He said the reintroduction of PLKN after it was last scrapped in 2018, reflects the government's unwavering commitment to building a patriotic nation with strong character and admirable values.
'We believe that while it may not be possible to ensure 100 per cent of our citizens are patriotic, love the country and willing to sacrifice for the homeland, at the very least we can earnestly establish a process or special intervention that will ensure a large part of our society continues to uphold strong patriotic spirit,' he stated during a presentation of Certificate of Appointments for the chairman and members of the National Service Training Council at Wisma Pertahanan today.
The ceremony was also attended by Armed Forces chief, Gen Datuk Mohd Nizam Jaffar and Royal Malaysian Air Force chief, Gen Tan Sri Mohd Asghar Khan Goriman Khan.
Mohamed Khaled said that in line with the provisions in Part III of the National Service Training Act 2003, the establishment of the National Service Training Council is a necessity to act as a body that plays an important role in advising the Minister on all matters related to national service.
'This Act also provides that this council shall consist of members appointed by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, on the recommendation of the Minister.
'This council shall comprise a chairman, five members representing the government and not less than three but not more than five other members representing the major races in Malaysia,' he said.
Previously, Mohamed Khaled had presented the letters of appointment to the five appointed government representatives, namely secretary-general of the Ministry of Defence Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali and secretary-general of the Ministry of Education Datuk Ts Dr Aminuddin Hassim.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Barnama
an hour ago
- Barnama
Anwar And Prabowo: Two Friends, One Region, A Shared Vision
He said it has also inspired the younger generation, many of whom have long been sceptical of politics, often perceiving it as harsh, competitive and disconnected from humanitarian values. Prime Minister's senior political secretary, Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, said the bond between the two leaders extends beyond official visits and bilateral cooperation, serving instead as a symbol of progressive and human-centric politics. KUALA LUMPUR, June 27 (Bernama) -- The close friendship between Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has brought a new dimension to regional diplomatic relations. Shamsul Iskandar said Anwar's journey after his release from prison in 2004 reflected his strong connection with the Indonesian people. 'Prabowo, too, faced a challenging path after being discharged from the military during Indonesia's 1998 reform era, but gradually re-emerged to win the presidential election,' Shamsul Iskandar, who is also PKR International Bureau chairman, said in a statement today. 'History shows that both leaders endured difficult phases in their political journeys. Anwar is remembered as a reformist figure who was dismissed, imprisoned and politically persecuted for decades before rising again to become the 10th Prime Minister. He noted that both Anwar and Prabowo were once perceived as political figures whose careers had ended, but today stand as leaders of two nations. 'This illustrated the deep respect and appreciation Indonesians have for him, and showed that his values of friendship and justice resonated across borders,' he said. 'During a visit to Jakarta not long after his release, Anwar was invited to deliver a series of lectures under the theme 'Anwar Sahabat Sejati' (Anwar, a True Friend). Their personal histories, he added, are marked by struggle and perseverance, making their stories especially meaningful to younger generations who yearn for honest, transparent and inclusive politics. 'Their stories proved that patience and consistency in pursuing ideals will eventually bear fruit,' he said. Shamsul Iskandar said in a region where political culture is often seen as rigid and protocol-heavy, the camaraderie between Anwar and Prabowo brings a refreshing touch of humanity. Images of the two leaders warmly shaking hands, laughing together and engaging in casual conversation have gone viral, sending a message that leaders can be approachable, sincere and connected to the people. More significantly, their communication styles are now aligned with the tastes of the digital generation. 'Anwar's use of formal Malay, which many Indonesians easily understand, and Prabowo's curated social media presence with a modern aesthetic nuance have made them relatable to youth audiences. 'These two figures have successfully bridged the generational divide and broken through the conservative wall in politics,' he said, adding that their bond has translated into impactful bilateral policies and joint initiatives. According to Shamsul Iskandar, under the stewardship of Anwar and Prabowo, Malaysia and Indonesia have seen stronger strategic cooperation, particularly in areas such as economy, food security and the protection of migrant workers. 'Their closeness was also evident when Prabowo made an informal visit to Kuala Lumpur simply to have lunch with Anwar - a gesture that reflects a bond built not merely on protocol but on genuine mutual trust,' he said. He added that both countries are now laying out long-term strategies through new policies. 'In Indonesia, Prabowo's free meals programme is seen as a significant step in strengthening social protection, while the establishment of Danantara - a sovereign wealth fund likened to Indonesia's version of Temasek - shows his serious economic planning for the future. 'In Malaysia, Anwar's MADANI framework continues to emphasise institutional reform and inclusive social justice,' he added. In the context of bilateral ties, Shamsul Iskandar said this is not the first time Malaysia and Indonesia have witnessed strong bonds between two major leaders. 'History reminds us of the early ties between Tunku Abdul Rahman and President Soekarno, which began on a friendly and idealistic note in the early post-independence period. Unfortunately, that closeness was later strained by a confrontation that heightened regional tensions. 'Today, the Anwar-Prabowo relationship seems to reopen that historical chapter, offering renewed hope that diplomacy can be shaped by personal values, mutual trust and sincere intentions in building a more united and stable Southeast Asia,' he said. More importantly, he said, the bilateral relationship is not limited to top-level leadership, but extends to grassroots cooperation between youth movements such as Malaysia's Angkatan Muda Keadilan (AMK) and Indonesia's Garda Pemuda NasDem (GPND). The active communication between these youth groups creates space for the exchange of ideas, joint training, and potential cross-border collaborative projects, he added. 'One GPND official based in Malaysia remarked that if young people are already connected and collaborating today, the future of Malaysia-Indonesia cooperation will be even stronger, not just at the elite level but also within society. 'This statement captures the essence of people-to-people diplomacy: that regional strength must be built from the ground up, not solely from the top,' he said. As for AMK, he said that this collaboration with GPND is an opportunity for them to step out of their comfort zone and represent Malaysian youth on a regional platform. 'It is a chance to show that Malaysian youth are not only engaged in domestic issues, but are also ready to play an active role in shaping a youthful, vibrant and dynamic ASEAN diplomacy,' he said. Shamsul Iskandar added that Anwar's current visit to Indonesia further strengthens this message. He said the Prime Minister is expected to meet with Prabowo later today for a policy dialogue, followed by visits to youth training centres and a dialogue with Indonesian youth. 'These initiatives show that efforts to foster cooperation are not limited to formal engagements, but also include the voices and aspirations of youth in both countries,' he said. In conclusion, Shamsul Iskandar said both Prabowo and Anwar are not only national leaders but have emerged as symbols of resilience, self-confidence and shared cultural kinship, offering renewed hope, particularly to the youth. 'In a political landscape often tainted by empty rhetoric and polarisation, the presence of these two figures proves that politics can be driven by friendship, maturity and genuine concern for the people. 'And most importantly, the torch of this struggle is now being picked up by young hands who refuse to merely observe history - they want to rewrite it,' he said. -- BERNAMA BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies. Follow us on social media : Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio Twitter : @ @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial TikTok : @bernamaofficial
Barnama
an hour ago
- Barnama
Johor Takes Steps To Prevent Cooking Oil Shortages
ISKANDAR PUTERI, June 27 (Bernama) -- The Johor government has worked with major supermarket chains in the state to prevent further disruptions in the supply of subsidised packet cooking oil. Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said supply shortages had occurred in the past because these supermarkets had waited until the last minute to replenish their stocks. 'Our review shows that some hypermarkets experience shortages of subsidised cooking oil for nearly a week every month because they only place new orders after existing stock runs out. 'This is what the companies involved told us, and this situation has caused dissatisfaction among consumers,' he said. He was speaking when launching the KPDN 2025 Southern Zone Roadshow Programme at the Puteri Harbour Convention Centre here today. Onn Hafiz said the state government had held direct discussions with the management of several major supermarkets in Johor to encourage earlier ordering to ensure supply continuity. He said the supermarkets concerned had agreed to take this proactive measure to ensure a consistent supply of packet cooking oil. 'I want to stress that there is no intention to place blame on any party. Our main focus is to work closely together as one team for the well-being of the people and the prosperity of Bangsa Johor. 'The state government also remains committed to working closely with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) to ensure all efforts to stabilise the supply of packet cooking oil are effectively implemented in the state,' he said.
Barnama
2 hours ago
- Barnama
South Korea–Malaysia FTA To Deepen Ties, Says Envoy
BUSINESS By Nur Atiq Maisarah Suhaimi & & Nur Elysa Amirah Suhaimi KUALA LUMPUR, June 27 (Bernama) -- South Korean Ambassador to Malaysia, Yeo Seung Bae, expressed Seoul's strong commitment to concluding a free trade agreement (FTA) with Malaysia, saying the partnership is poised to become stronger and more comprehensive. Yeo said both leaders have reaffirmed their intention to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation across a wide range of sectors, including trade, investment, green growth, infrastructure, digital transformation, and the defence industry. 'Having held more than nine rounds of negotiations, we have now entered the final phase. 'So I expect when the two leaders meet, likely on the occasion of the ASEAN summit in late October, FTA negotiations will be finalised, which would be very good news for both peoples," he told Bernama. He said the Korea–Malaysia FTA is not merely a conventional trade and investment agreement, but a comprehensive one that also covers digital transition, the digital economy, the green economy, and the bio-economy. "These are so-called future industry, high-value, high-tech industry. So through this bilateral free trade agreement, not only Korean businesses or Korean people, but also Malaysian people and Malaysian people's businesses, farmers and even fishers will get some benefit. "Because the contents of FTA are not revealed publicly yet, so I cannot say more details about that, but what can I say, yes, we have a very promising future for both countries in terms of industry and business cooperation," he added. On June 23, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung agreed to expand bilateral cooperation in a substantive and mutually beneficial manner, including efforts to conclude the FTA.
