BTN not to be revamped after all

Written by Chan Kok Leong & Sharon Tan, The Edge 

The issue of the controversial Biro Tata Negara (BTN) continued to play out in Parliament today with proponents from both sides of the divide continuing to defend and attack the programme.

According to Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Ahmad Maslan, there is nothing wrong with the programme.

“Just because something wrong is said for one minute in a hour-long lecture does not mean that the programme is geared to promote racism,” Ahmad Maslan said in the Parliament lobby today.

He was responding to allegations that racists remarks were passed during the lectures.

The Umno information chief said the national civics bureau programmes were geared towards instilling patriotism, nationalism and moral values.

The deputy minister, however, did not deny that elements of Malay supremacy were evident in the programme.

“When it is told that more than two-thirds of the racial composition in the country were bumiputera, is that racism?” he asked.

“What we do teach in the BTN programmes is on the history of the country and the constitution,” he retorted.

According to Ahmad Maslan, BTN programmes were continuously tweaked to suit the current climate.

“During the previous prime minister’s (Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi), the programme had sections to boost human capital.

“Under Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s administration, we have introduced concepts from 1Malaysia into the programme,” said the Pontian member of parliament.

He said the adjustments have been made since April 15 after Najib announced the 1Malaysia concept on April 3.

Meanwhile, DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang has volunteered himself to head an investigation into the BTN courses.

“In continuing to justify the BTN courses as inculcating nationalism and unity among the people, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has challenged me to join a BTN course to see if racial hatred is promoted,” said Lim in the Parliament lobby.

“Why not invite me to head an investigation to see whether the courses had poisoned the minds of a generation of leaders, civil servants and university students?” asked the Ipoh Timur MP.

Lim said if the government had nothing to hide, they should welcome the opportunity for an investigation into the BTN courses.