Scrap National Service to save cost, Anwar urges Putrajaya

Scrap the National Service to reduce the nation's deficit, Pakatan Rakyat urged Putrajaya today.

In a press conference at Parti Keadilan Rakyat's headquarters in Tropicana, opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim called on the government to review the NS programme.

"We propose that the NS, which has caused the death of 22 teenagers, be stopped next year as a moratorium to allow a parliament select committee to be set up to make revisions or scrap it altogether," he said.

Anwar was commenting on PR's shadow budget for 2014, which aims to reduce Malaysia's deficit by 3%.

"The focus of our budget will be on inequality; the widening gap between the rich and the poor," he said.

PR's shadow budget, he added, will be unveiled by October 21, four days before Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is expected to table the federal government's budget for 2014.

Anwar, who was present along with DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang and PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustapha Ali, reiterated his invitation to Najib to meet and discuss issues on national economy, security, government management and the 2012 Auditor General's Report, among other things.

The PKR leader had previously made a similar invitation to Najib but the offer was turned down by the Prime Minister's officials.