By Sarban Singh

PORT DICKSON: Parents can now visit their children undergoing national service training at the 81 camps nationwide every weekend instead of fortnightly.

Saturdays have been allocated for the visits at camps in Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah while Sundays would be visiting day for all other camps. Visiting hours are between 8am and 5pm.

National Service Training Department director-general Datuk Abdul Hadi Awang Kechil said weekly visits should make the parents feel more comfortable about the well-being of their children.

"It will also allow the parents to meet other parents and this will enhance unity and friendship," he told reporters during a visit to the Rachado Bay camp here yesterday.

"We have allowed this because Saturdays and Sundays are rest days for the trainees. Rather than doing nothing, it is better for them to meet their families," he said.

During the open day on Jan 24 for the current batch of trainees, Abdul Hadi said parents would be allowed to enter the dormitories and see for themselves the facilities and modules provided.

"We want to instil confidence in them. The good thing is that more parents are now willing to send their children for national service. This is very encouraging," he said.

About 140,000 youths will undergo training this year, with the first batch of 37,000 already in their camps.

On the Chinese New Year break on Jan 26 and 27, Abdul Hadi said those celebrating the festival would be allowed to go home for four days from Jan 25.

Those celebrating Thaipusam can leave camp for three days from Feb 7.

Abdul Hadi said the names of some 1,000 youths who dodged training last year had been forwarded to police for further action.

On medical aspects, he said trainees should make a declaration that they were certified medically unfit for the department to consider a deferment or exemption.

He said trainees who had never gone for a medical check-up but felt they were unfit would be referred to a panel of doctors upon request.

Those who had received treatment at private clinics or hospitals would still have to attend training and their case would be referred to the NS special medical committee.

"If they are prone to the 32 listed illnesses in our books, then they may either be exempted or allowed to defer," he said. -The Star/Asia News Network