National service training department director-general Ya’cob Samiran said while there is no exception, those who really cannot attend must submit an application for deferment, Bernama reported.

He said those who are working must obtain permission from their employers for leave, and employers must provide justification if they refuse to release their employees for the national service training.

“If employers do not grant permission, there are other processes we will implement,” he told reporters during the PLKN 3.0 light weapons shooting training session at the army camp in Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur today.

Ya’cob said that the light weapons shooting training is being conducted over two days, with 67 trainees participating today and another 53 scheduled for tomorrow.

On Jan 12, a total of 120 trainees, comprising 80 men and 40 women aged 18 to 25, were accepted into the first series of PLKN 3.0 for 2025.

The defence ministry previously announced that this figure included 13 individuals who registered as walk-ins at the 515 Territorial army regiment camp. The ministry said the trainees were Malaysians from different backgrounds.

Meanwhile, Ya’cob said that the use of military fatigues for PLKN 3.0 trainees aligns with practices in other countries and is more cost-effective than creating a new uniform just for the PLKN 3.0 participants.

“If we were to use a different type of uniform, the process would take longer, and the cost would be higher,” he explained.

He added that trainees are required to return the uniforms after completing their training, allowing future batches to reuse the existing camouflage attire.