Cuepacs president Adnan Mat said the experience and skills of these former trainers, who were involved in the national service programme between 2004 and 2018, could greatly enhance the efficiency of the training provided to the teenagers selected to participate.

“This second opportunity should be extended to them, as the government’s promise to provide them with jobs has not been fully fulfilled,” he said in a statement.

He added that many of these former trainers do not have stable employment, and some remain unemployed since the programme was abolished in 2018.

Adnan said the rehiring of former trainers could help alleviate their financial hardship, as some of them are unable to repay loans obtained during their previous service.

He added that this move could also help the government cut costs involved for training the trainers, as those with past experience can be reutilised with the latest module guidelines.

Earlier this month, defence minister Mohamad Hasan told the Dewan Rakyat that the revived national service programme being formulated by the government would end up costing less than RM100 million per year.

He said a special committee formed to look at how to bring back the programme, had also considered splitting the programme into two phases – first while the students are still in school, and the second, after the SPM examination.

The trainers for phase two could also be made up of those from the military and the police force, and the duration for the training would also be cut down from three months to 45 days for each phase.

He also welcomed a proposal from Ketereh MP Khlir Nor to employ army veterans as trainers for the programme, as many were unemployed post-retirement.