Former armed forces chief Aziz appointed NS Training Council chairman
KUALA LUMPUR: Former armed forces chief General (Rtd) Tan Sri Dr Abdul Aziz Zainal has been appointed chairman of the National Service Training Council, which will oversee the implementation of the revamped National Service Training Programme (NS 3.0).
The appointment, effective from April 14, 2025 to April 13, 2028, was endorsed by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, and announced by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
Khaled said under the National Service Training Act 2003, the council functions as the minister's key advisory body and must include a chairman, five government representatives, and three to five representatives from Malaysia's major ethnic groups.
The council also comprises four members from key communities and regions.
"The government representatives are Defence Ministry secretary-general Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali; Education Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Aminuddin Hashim; Higher Education Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Anesee Ibrahim; Youth and Sports Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Nagulendran Kanayatkarasu; and Women, Family and Community Development Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Maziah Che Yusoff.
"Also representing Malaysia's main communities in the council are Malaysian Youth Council president Mohd Izzat Afifi Abdul Hamid, deputy president Soon Honn Keong, and Professor Datuk Dr Sivamurugan Pandian.
"Also in the council is Sabah Chief Minister's Department Internal Affairs and Research secretary Datuk Abang Shahminan Abang Sahari," he said in his speech.
Khaled also said the reintroduction of the National Service programme marked the government's unwavering commitment to shaping a patriotic, disciplined and united younger generation, and that the council's formation was key to that mission.
"We believe that while not everyone may be 100 per cent patriotic or willing to sacrifice for the nation, we must earnestly pursue a process or intervention that ensures there is a strong core within our society — individuals with deep patriotic spirit and love for the nation.
"To me, this is of great importance and must not be taken lightly. For the ministry and the government at large, we aspire to foster a society where there will always be a generation that is aware of its role, responsibility, and value to the nation," he said.
Also present at the ceremony were current Armed Forces chief General Datuk Mohd Nizam Jaffar and Royal Malaysian Air Force chief General Tan Sri Asghar Khan Goriman Khan.
On Feb 25, a total of 116 trainees nationwide completed the NS 3.0 Series 1/2025 after undergoing 45 days of training that began on Jan 12.
The next intake, Series 2/2025, is scheduled to run from May 11 to June 24, followed by Series 3/2025 from Sept 7 to Oct 21.
It will be held at either the 515th Territorial Army Regiment Camp in Kuala Lumpur or the 505th Territorial Army Regiment Camp in Pekan, Pahang.
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