Lim Char Boo, head of the police criminal investigation department in northeastern Terengganu state, said the incident happened on April 13 and the instructor was arrested on Wednesday.

"We confirm we have arrested an instructor. He is now under police detention," he was quoted as saying by the official Bernama news agency.

This is the first case of rape reported under the controversial national service programme which has been plagued with problems since its inception in February.

Malaysia started non-military national service training for 18-year-old youths to boost patriotism and racial integration.

But reports of fighting, riots, extortion and sexual harassment have prompted opposition politicians to call for a suspension of the scheme.

On Sunday, deputy prime minister Najib Razak defended the programme.

"I treat all problems related to the national service as challenges rather than criticisms in our effort to prepare our youths for the future," he was quoted as saying by the Sunday Star newspaper.

In a camp in Lumut in the northern Perak state, the commander and nine trainers walked out of the camp after claiming that they have not been paid their salaries as promised.

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