Kota Kinabalu: The Government should monitor closely the activities of the National Service Volunteer Brigade and should not hesitate to give it all the necessary support to ensure its success and make a significant contribution to the nation, said Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.Lee, who is a former chairman of the National Service Training Council, was pleased to note the formation of the National Service Volunteer Brigade to provide help and relief to victim of all national calamities such as floods, fires, landslides etc.
He, however, suggested that that the Volunteer Brigade be provided with training in disaster relief and exposure to all aspects of safety and health so that in the cause of carrying out their noble duties they will know how to ensure their personnel safety and health.
"Although they were exposed to community service training module as part of their three-month National Service Training Programme in the NS Camp, it would be necessary for the Brigade members to be given additional knowledge from time to time in all aspects of voluntary work," he said.
According to him, the Brigade was made up of members of the alumni of the National Service Training Programme, which has to date trained some 500,000 youths nationwide since its inception in 2004.
"Before I retired from the National Service Training Programme I had advocated the need to mobilise all former NS trainees to use the knowledge they gained from NS training to perform voluntary service to the Nation and help out in times of need.
"The setting up of the National Service Volunteer Brigade helps to promote the concept of volunteerism among Malaysian youths in the area of community service.
"Through the Volunteer Brigade we can help to strengthen the spirit of volunteerism to serve the community and the Nation in times of need.
"These volunteers can be mobilised not only to help victims of disasters but also conduct gotong royong programmes in public places and help to take care of our environment.
"Through strengthening the spirit of volunteerism we can help mobilise young Malaysians to help realise a truly caring society.
Through the Brigade, the volunteers can organise and participate in activities to show their love and patriotism for the country in various ways.
"For example, planting a tree or taking steps to clean up public places are patriotic acts to show our love for our nation," he said.
