Defence Minister Najib Razak told a news conference that anyone refusing the three-month call-up could be fined up to 3,000 ringgit (790 dollars) or jailed for six months or both.

They would then still be required to undergo national service.

Najib said Malaysia's programme would differ from those in other countries, such as neighbouring Singapore, where military training is part of the national defence requirements.

"Ours is designed for nation-building, with about 30 percent military and physical components," he said.

Apart from basic military and firearms training, it will include "patriotic training", character-building and community service, he said.

This would involve learning about the country's constitution, policies and laws, and working experience with government agencies and non-governmental organisations.

The national service plan has received strong support from Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who has warned that racial ties in multicultural Malaysia have weakened, particularly among young people.

Malaysia's population of 23 million is made up 65 percent Malays and other indigenous groups, 26 percent ethnic Chinese and nearly eight percent ethnic Indians.

Najib said that initially a total of 100,000 youths would be randomly selected by computer from about half a million of those eligible, but the selection would take into account factors such as race, gender and state of origin,

"It will reflect the Malaysian identity as a multi-cultural country.

"This is not a political programme. This is about nation-building," he said.

"It is to strengthen national unity and national integration."

Najib said the figure of 100,000 was selected because of economic and infrastructural restraints but the programme might be extended to all eligible young people in future.

The training programme will cost at least 500 million ringgit (132 million dollars) a year, he said.

WAR.WIRE