Only volunteers would now be selected for the revamped programme. — Reuters pic

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 — Teenagers will not be compelled to attend National Service training and can opt out of it under the revamped National Service Training Programme (PLKN 2.0), the National Service Training Department said.

According to The Star, National Service Training Department director general Datuk Mohmed Asri Yusof said that trainees who have a change of heart while at the camp as well as those with health problems will not be forced to stay on.

As such, only volunteers would now be selected for the revamped programme.

“This is not the army. We do not want to torture them,” he was quoted as saying.

“Those applying through their schools are aware of this and now, we have more volunteers than places,” he said.

The revamped programme consists of two phases. The first phase focuses on life skills and promoting unity, which will last for eight weeks.

The second phase is optional, where trainees can obtain technical skills and on-the-job training with allowances.