KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 24, 2011): The National Service Training Department is planning to include Sikh trainers in National Service (NS) camps in the future, said department director-general Datuk Abdul Hadi Awang Kechil today.
The NS service department has also urged volunteers or NGOs identified by the Malaysian Sikh Union to visit all nine NS camps nationwide to get feedback on problems or complaints by Sikh trainees.
Abdul Hadi said the measures in line with the government’s aim to instill unity and patriotism among trainees of various races and culture.
He also said the initiatives will help prevent a similar incident last week where 17-year-old Sikh trainee Basant Singh woke up at the Sungai Bakap camp in Penang to find his hair snipped off.
The cutting or shaving of hair is one of the four taboos in Sikhism.
Abdul Hadi was speaking in a press conference today after meeting the family of Basant and members of the Union of Perak Sikh Organisation (UPSO) in Wangsa Maju.
The family of Basant and UPSO made no comments on the hair-cutting incident as they are waiting for police to complete investigations.
Abdul Hadi said the parents have been informed that Basant is free to switch camps or defer his national service training although he cannot be exempted from NS.
with thanks : thesundaily : link above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
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