Deputy defence minister Adly Zahari said the ministry will conduct a comprehensive assessment to resolve such issues, Bernama reported.

“We want to understand the reasons behind their failure to register because, based on the approach we use, we not only inform them but also maintain direct communication with those involved,” he said after the Madani village veterans’ programme at SK Sungai Rual in Jeli today.

Adly said the ministry is currently obtaining reports from the PLKN committee, including reviewing presentations by the national service training department and examining the reasons for the participants’ absence.

He said participants are bound by the National Service Training Act 2003 (Act 628), adding that the ministry would conduct a thorough review of the justifications for their failure to register before any enforcement of the Act is considered.

“We’ll invoke the Act and enforce disciplinary measures if there is no other option,” he said.

Under the Act, trainees who fail to register within the stipulated period may be referred for legal action under Section 18(1) of Act 628.

In a separate development, he stated that due to the low participation of Orang Asli in the armed forces, the ministry will intensify awareness programmes in Orang Asli villages, particularly in Gua Musang and Jeli, Kelantan.