RM29000 for death? RM58000 for disability? Come on, you gotta do better than that. It's often said that no amount of $ can replace the demise of a loved one or buy happiness. But in this case, it can certainly alleviate the pain and stress of the families left behind or when you're left without an arm or a leg or blind in one eye. The country and the participants should not let complacence shroud themselves. We may think that we're NEVER , EVER going to war. But what if? A better package of benefits should immediately be planned.

to all NS participants, don't forget to bring extra kain basahan ;). after 7 years of service, I was required to attend one of those 'motivation camp'. Lotsa fun really; make new friends, communal bath,midnight jungle trekking, crawling in mud,flying fox, etc. Some mothers cried before they jump off the platform during the flying fox activity. After that they begged for more flying fox sessions. Boost 'some' of my confidence. After that stint my car no longer served as parking space reserve. I gather 'nuf courage to drive alone day/night, various weather conditions.

Wow, the campsite looks more very spartan. It is definitley gonna be a rough ride for the folks there. Although I am an advocate for NS (it builds character), it is good to have moderation in how the curriculum is dispensed. Running the "green-horns" through the paces like US Navy Seals is not gonna help in the long term.

I find the following media extract from Najah's post more interesting:

"The 8ha camp also has an obstacle course, which includes vaults, swinging boards, bear tunnels, loop jumps, tension traverses and “flying foxes.”

Being a person whose sporting interest are inclined to sport climbing and adventure racing where all the above are commonplace, i'm wondering if the said contractor have the necessary certification to construct and certify the "flying foxes" as these are potential death-traps when not properly used or built.

There was an incident in Singapore where i was working awhile in 2000, there was a flying fox for our team-building sessions, but even with the fox being certified as safe, a colleague using the fox fell a fair distance and broke her spine, thus paralyzed.

I have 2 cousins attending the camps in Dungun next month, if anything were to happen to them....well..

Nick

Expected physical amenities to be basic. But more worried about the mental 'training'. Attended an official govt training run by 'seasoned' facilitators, where an experienced 'professional' counsellor harangued us for 3 hours for preferring foreign makes to local Proton etc. Hope it wont be as big a waste for these guys.

salam..
yes, the program probably needs some work to make it better.. but hey.. this is the first batch of the program... and as such.. there will surely be some shortcomings for this pioneer batch.. the way i see it.. these shortcomings will probably be good for them.. one way or another.. insyallah.. let's have some faith in the system.. get the ball rolling.. improvements will come.. surely.. insyallah.