Wai Yu at National Service Training Camp

My third son Wai Yu, aged 17+, is conscripted into the National Service (or Khidmat Negara) scheduled from March 19, 2009 till June 8, 2009. However, his two elder brothers Wai Kit and Wai Jen were not selected when they were 18 years old.

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Owing to the demise of his grandfather on March 15 and after attending the funeral service on March 19 in Selama, Perak, I personally sent him to Kem Millennium, Kampung Kuala Pajam, Beranang, Selangor (which is about 20km from our house) last Saturday, March 21. He is expected to be released earlier if his application to pursue a Foundation Programme in Arts (leading to Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration) in UTAR of Petaling Jaya campus commencing May 26 (Orientation week) is successful.

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My wife Soh Ai, our youngest son Wai Kei and I visited Wai Yu at 1.30pm today for the first time. Here are some photos taken for the sake of remembrance:

Dewan Makan where parents meet their children during visiting hours.

Here he is the near bald Wai Yu. A photo of him taken not long ago (i.e. March 6) showing his long-hair look is posted below.

Wai Yu and his mum.






Wai Yu and his youngest brother Wai Kei.

A pose together (snapped by Wai Kei) before we left the camp. We will be seeing him again this coming weekend.

Some background information about the Malaysian National Service:

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The Malaysian National Service, or Program Latihan Khidmat Negara (PLKN), is Malaysia's national service program. The conscripts are 17-year-old youths that are selectively drafted. The three-month program, which started in December 2003, began as way to encourage friendship between youth of certain ages with different races and ethnic groups and address concerns that the country's various races were becoming increasingly isolated from one another.
Selection of conscriptsConscripts are 18 years of age and picked from a national database that includes all citizens registered with a Malaysian ID card, whether born locally or overseas. Conscripts were informed of their participation in the program by mail at the address listed on their identification card.Deserters and draft dodgers are subject to punishment of a fine of up to but not exceeding RM 3000, and/or up to six months of jail. Deferrals to a later date are allowed.
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Objectives of the PLKN1. Develop a young generation who are patriotic and with love for their country
2. Enhance unity among the multi-racial communities in the country
3. Instill a spirit of caring and volunteerism among society
4. Produce an active, intelligent and confident generation
5. Develop positive characteristics among the younger generation through good values
6. Develop a generation that will always obey the current government