Trial training for PLKN 3.0 starts in January 2025

The Ministry of Defense will implement the Trial Training of the National Service Training Program (PLKN) 3.0 involving 200 male trainees voluntarily, which will last for 14 days starting next January 12, said the Deputy Minister of Defense, Adly Zahari.

All Malaysians between the ages of 18 and 20 are eligible to attend the training, which is being held at the 515 Territorial Soldier Regiment in Kuala Lumpur, he added. Applications must be submitted by November 23 on the Ministry of Defense’s website, www.mod.gov.my.

After officiating the Armed Forces Veteran Entrepreneur Empowerment (PUVET) program Malaysian Army (ATM) Negeri Sembilan Level and presenting initiative grants to 13 ATM veterans here today, he told reporters, “With the PLKN Trial Training, we can ensure that the preparation for the actual session in June 2025 is really at 100 percent level with still room for improvement of which modules and training are necessary.”

According to previous reports, PLKN 3.0 will be implemented in a new format beginning in June or July 2025. It will be divided into two phases: the Basic PLKN Phase, which will involve teenagers aged 17 and up, and the Pre-PLKN Phase, which will involve fourth-form students and be implemented in schools during extracurricular activities.

The Basic PLKN Phase, which applies 70% of military training and 30% of the fundamental modules of statehood, is anticipated to be applied starting in April 2026 in 20 public universities, 13 territorial soldier camps, and a few chosen polytechnics across the country, according to Khaled.

Adly added that since the PUVET ATM initiative was put into place last year, 216 ATM veterans have been awarded a Rural Entrepreneurship Strengthening Support Grant (SPKLB) totaling RM1.08 million. This program grant, which is administered by the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development, has the potential to boost productivity and further expand the market for veteran products.

In order to make sure that all entrepreneurial incentives are directed more specifically towards military veterans, he also expects that additional ministries, agencies, and private businesses will participate in PUVET ATM through the Ex-Army Affairs Corporation (PERHEBAT).

In partnership with Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), PERHEBAT will teach veterans, including in the area of agriculture.

As a matter of fact, we recently met with PLUS Malaysia Berhad on entrepreneurship. “Any competitive ATM veteran cooperative has potential for this purpose,” he stated.

In order to market more items made by ATM veterans, he added, the company’s collaboration extends beyond business at petrol stations and includes Rest and Treatment Areas (R&R).