National Service expected to begin in Sarawak in July 2028

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By DayakDaily Team

PETALING JAYA, Oct 9: The National Service Training Programme (PLKN) 3.0 is expected to begin in Sarawak in July 2028, with 90 per cent of the 300 places in its first intake reserved for youths from Sarawak and Sabah.

According to Malay Mail, Defence Minister Khaled Nordin said the Sarawak programme is expected to begin with Series 3/2028, scheduled from July to August.

“Preparations are currently being actively carried out, including obtaining approval for the use of land.

“Of the total 300 places, 60 per cent of the quota is allocated to participants from Sarawak, 30 per cent from Sabah and 10 per cent from Kuala Lumpur, to increase participation from East Malaysia and strengthen national unity,” he said in a written parliamentary reply to Ahmad Johnie Zawawi (GPS-Igan) today.

Although the first PLKN 3.0 series in Sarawak will be held only in 2028, Khaled said Sarawakian youths have already taken part in the programme since Series 1/2025.

A total of 94 trainees from Sarawak participated in seven PLKN 3.0 series in 2025 and 2026, with three held last year and four this year.

The ministry said it selected trainees through random balloting and voluntary applications.

However, the ministry said the two recruitment methods alone could not guarantee the inclusion of youths from rural and interior areas.

It said the national service training department, through the National Service Training Council, had decided that the council’s Sarawak representative would also identify and propose candidates from rural and interior areas for consideration. — DayakDaily