SIBU, Nov 23 (Bernama) -- Parents have once again been reminded that they have nothing to fear about the influenza A (H1N1) when sending their children for the national service training programme next year.

National Service Department Director-General Datuk Awang Hadi Awang Kechil said every precaution and preventive measures of the Health Ministry would be put in place in all the 82 camps nationwide.

Beginning January, 38,000 trainees will attend the first session, 42,000 for the second in March and 40,000 for the third in June.

In addition, 26,000 others who had postponed their training will join programme and be spread out over the three sessions.

Awang Hadi told reporters this here last night after attending a dinner with Kem PLKN Bumimas operator Ho Su Yen and his staff.

"We will always be in close contact with the Health Ministry. We will always monitor all of our camps for cleanliness as well as the health of all of our trainees.

"We have experience in managing sickness where 40 camps were ordered to be closed for a week and there was no problem with any of the trainees," he said.

In addition, Awang Hadi said every camp would have five health officials each and every advice and directive given would be strictly followed.

On another issue, he believed the national service training was one of the best channels to promote the 1Malaysia Concept.

"Among others, we teach them to be patriotic and united as fellow Malaysians.

"We also want them to be law abiding citizen and future leaders. In short, we are very proud to be able to contribute to the 1Malaysia concept" he said.

He said to-date some 440,000 young Malaysians had participated in the training.