National Service to begin in Sarawak in July 2028

In a written parliamentary reply to Ahmad Johnie Zawawi (GPS-Igan), 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% of the quota is allocated to participants from Sarawak, 30% from Sabah and 10% from Kuala Lumpur, to increase participation from East Malaysia and strengthen national unity,” he said.

Although the first PLKN 3.0 series in Sarawak will only be held in 2028, Khaled said Sarawakian youths had already been taking 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 trainees were selected 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.

“This approach will be implemented once the council’s representative from Sarawak is appointed,” it said.