Lee Lam Thye Speaks.... (revised)

But does it make any difference?


My Letter published in Malaysiakini

Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye,

When I read your letter, there was disappointment in me and the thoughts I wish to express reiterate what many parents have called for: Stop the NS programme!

With all due respect, I cannot comprehend how can you could publicly declare previously that most of the issues have been ironed out and in giving assurances to us parents you further claim: ‘We have a team to monitor the effectiveness of the co-curricular activities as well as the infrastructure and management at all camps’.

You also assured us parents that: ‘Another measure soon to be set up is the flying squad that would resolve problems related to welfare, cleanliness and conflicts immediately’.You ‘urged parents not to worry as steps had been taken to ensure the trainees were well taken care of at the 83 camps nationwide’.

Furthermore, you claimed that: ‘Trainees and their parents can also provide their feedback to further improve the programme".

Since then, another two young lives, with full of potential and a great future ahead of them, have been lost. Now in your latest statement you wash your hands stating: ‘There is only so much I can do as a non-executive chairperson given the fact that I do not have executive powers. I am never directly involved in the administration and management of the National Service Training Programme and the camps which fall squarely on the shoulders of the National Service Training Department's Director-General and his officers. Camp commandants take directives and instructions from the director-general and his officers.

So how could you make a statement before to give us the impression that you were in-charge and claim most issues had been ironed out and tell us parents not to worry? Immediately after another two lives are lost, you wash your hands and say its not your fault!

Why do you make claims and promises you cannot fulfill? What good is it being a chairperson who cannot make good on your promises? You wrote about the need to have a caring approach while your letter remained heartless - there was no apology for the deaths (of course, it’s not your fault), not even a word of condolence to the parents of the deceased. You continue to give, what I deem as, excuse after excuse. This proves you are not capable of this position and lack the principles to continue.

The National Service has come to a point where there is no more anything good about the programme. The camps are now regarded as ‘death camps’ and trainees think about how not to be selected into the programme. With over 20 deaths in its five years of existence, it is the best result you can claim, along with the many more complains of bullying, sexual harassment, indiscipline and what not. The people who are running these camps have little heart for the youths and obviously no consideration for their well-being.

I (among with many, many others if you care the read the alternate media and blogs) personally feel this programme is a waste of time and money which could be better spent elsewhere, such as in schools where at least, there are still teachers passionate about teaching and have the young people at heart.

Many parents have declared that they will resist this programme and I am one of them. I feel every parent should do this also and make known to you that this programme is a failure - something you have not yet admitted as the NS chairperson.

It is time for this NS be stopped and be stopped NOW.

K V Soon

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Reproduced from The Star. Source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/13/focus/21226158&sec=focus

NS is good for youths

THE National Service Training Council, acting as an advisory body to the Defence Minister, cannot be unconcerned over yet another health-related death of a National Service Trainee Too Hui Min from the Geo Cosmo National Service Training Camp in Selangor.

Every time an NS trainee dies while undergoing training, I am devastated. I put myself in the position of the parents concerned and fully understand their sense of loss, anguish and suffering.

Since I accepted the appointment of Chairman of the National Service Training Council for a three-year term in June 2005, I have served with commitment and do my utmost best simply because it is a responsibility and a trust and I spend almost 90% of my time doing National Service duties.

I go to the office almost daily to assist the National Service Training Programme by providing feedback, complaints, suggestions and mete out advice to the National Service Training Department. I also spend a considerable amount of time listening to and attending to parents and needs of trainees who approach me from time to time.

In the course of two years, I have visited some 60 National Service Camps, giving motivational talks to the trainees while at the same time reminding the camp commandants and their staff to ensure the proper management of the camps.

I constantly emphasise the need to be caring to all trainees and treat them as if the trainees are their own children. I had also called on all camp commandants to take all the necessary steps within their powers to ensure camps are problem-free and strive towards zero-deaths.

There is only so much I can do as a non-executive chairman given the fact that I do not have executive powers. I am never directly involved in the administration and management of the National Service Training Programme and the camps which falls squarely on the shoulders of the National Service Training Department’s Director-General and his officers. Camp commandants take directives and instructions from the director-general and his officers.

The health and safety of trainees are among the many issues brought up by the council members each time the National Service Training Council meets. In fact the idea of mandatory medical check-ups for National Service Trainees prior to their participation in the programme was recommended three years ago but it could not be implemented by the Ministry of Health.

Just two weeks ago, I met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence to discuss the need to revisit the suggestion of compulsory medical check-ups for National Service trainees. I even recommended recruiting full-time doctors to be stationed in all camps.

But even with compulsory medical check-ups, there is no assurance that trainees, who have been certified healthy, will not fall ill in the course of their three-month stay in the camps. Hence, what is necessary is for all medical complaints of trainees to be properly investigated and attended to.

If sick trainees show no signs of improvement after 24 hours, they must be sent immediately to the nearest hospital for further treatment as stated in the Standing Operating Procedure. Camp commandants and the medical personnel in the camps must never take risks when it comes to the health of the trainees. Every illness must be treated seriously no matter how trivial it may be.

Calls from the public for each death to be thoroughly investigated, the results to be made public and action taken against those responsible must be carried out in line with transparency.

As chairman of the council I am compelled to state that each time a death occurs in the camps, it nullifies all the good work and efforts put in by the council and the Department to promote the National Service.

Although many improvements have been introduced since 2004, what really matters is the implementation of these improvements by the people in charge of the camps. In the final analysis, what is crucially important is whether all those given responsibilities and the trust to manage the camps discharge their duties with care, honesty, integrity and a sense of commitment.

To me the caring approach, attitude and culture towards trainees needs to be further reinforced if we are to prevent any more mishap. I maintain that National Service training is a good programme for building discipline, character and unity as has been testified by the vast majority of former trainees and their parents but it has to be properly managed by committed and truly caring people.

TAN SRI LEE LAM THYE,

Chairman, National Service Training Council.