Media Centre

Tan Sri Lim Kok Wing can beam with pride each time he sees a young Malaysian in the National Service uniform. It is his efforts and those of his university college that have seen to the creation of a uniform that is practical and comfortable to go with a programme that is “fun and educational”.

Some 85,000 young people are involved in the National Service programme that begins this year and Tan Sri Lim and his team were responsible for designing three separate sets of uniforms – for physical training, classroom activity and community service.

Tan Sri Lim says of the uniforms: “We wanted to ensure it is something young people would be proud of when they wear it, not put on grudgingly. It’s like wearing with a sense of bonding and being proud of being part of the national service programme”.

Tan Sri Lim’s team, comprising lecturers from the university college’s Fashion and Retail Design, took a few months to come up with the designs.

They arrived at the designs after having conducted a survey on some 1,000 students on campus. There was also the evaluation process that went through the Defence Ministry, the Cabinet Committee set up to look into the matter, and finally, the Cabinet.

Fashion lecturer Es Azren who is heading FRD, says the uniforms are in blue because it is a colour that is young and would no go out of date.

Fajura Juffa, director of Academic Management, says the idea of tiger stripes came into play because of what the tiger represents to Malaysians – bold and tough.

Tan Sri Lim says, “Cotton fabric is used because it’s cool and absorbent. The young people will participate in a lot of activities and their uniforms should be user-friendly”.

The uniforms come with multiple pockets for keeping belongings, notepads and pens.

The logo is a departure from the conventional National Service design that highlights a military image. It symbolises the inspiration of the young generation in moving forward as successor of the nation.

The national programme is meant to instil patriotism, volunteerism and promote national integration.