KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 7 — Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz has called Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad a “bloody racist” for defending the Biro Tata Negara (BTN) courses, and reasserted the Cabinet’s earlier decision to overhaul the programme.Nazri pointed out to reporters in Parliament today that patriotism was not meant only for the Malays but for all Malaysians.
“You must be a Malaysian whether you’re a minister or not. You must walk your talk. Don’t just because when you were PM, you wanted everyone to support you, you’re Malaysian and the moment you’re no longer PM, that’s it, only talk about the Malays so I cannot accept his comment. When you read his blog it is bloody racist.
“I strongly feel the BTN courses must be in line with the 1 Malaysia slogan by the PM,” he said.
Dr Mahathir had said yesterday that there was no need to revamp BTN’s training modules in the current form and that it was suitable for instilling the patriotic spirit among Malaysians.
Nazri also slammed Umno’s Utusan Malaysia newspaper today, saying its “denial syndrome is making me laugh.” The minister in the prime minister’s department repeated his stand that “everybody knows what the BTN is,” so there was nothing to hide.
“I just want them to know, they should not go on a denial syndrome because their syllabus is known to everybody. Don’t think that people outside do not know about the syllabus based on patriotism for Malays. I just want to remind them that among those in the opposition, Hasan Ali was a former deputy director of BTN and Sungai Petani MP Johari Abdul was a BTN former director and Anwar Ibrahim’s father in law was involved with the BTN.
“They all know what the syllabus is all about so who are we to say that it did not happen? You want to lie? You make people laugh. I mean there are people who attended the courses who came out very angry. There were many instances of the use of words like Ketuanan Melayu (Malay supremacy). It is ridiculous so I want them to tell me where did I go wrong in supporting the revamping of the BTN syllabus. Tell me where I went wrong?” he asked.
Nazri stressed that BTN was funded by public money and that the funds should be spent properly for the betterment of all communities.
“The BTN’s allocation is mentioned in the PM’s department’s budget. So it’s public money. So if it’s public money then we need to ensure that it is spent properly, not to have courses only to concentrate on one community in the country.
“You talk about patriotism, love for the country. Patriotism is for all Malaysians regardless of race. Therefore, the money spent on BTN to have courses must reflect the 1Malaysia slogan by the PM. It should not only be to raise patriotism among the Malays. Malaysia is for all races so I disagree with any syllabus which only concentrates on patriotism just on one community, I disagree. If they have a problem with that, I want to know what is their problem,” he said.
Nazri questioned if Utusan Malaysia, which has been at the forefront of defending BTN courses, believes that Malaysia belongs only to the Malay community.
“Do they want to say that Malaysia belongs only to the Malays and the government is only a Malay government? Should only the Malays be given the spirit of patriotism? Other races are not patriotic about their country? So I want them to point out to me where is it that I’ve gone wrong If I disagree with the past syllabus,” he added.
Nazri also denied the claim made by Utusan that it was only him who wanted BTN to be revamped and not the Cabinet.
“The moment PM took over, when he introduced the 1 Malaysia slogan. It was soon after that because courses run by BTN using public funds must be used properly and it amounts to millions so if you want to talk about patriotism, patriotism for all, not just the Malays, for all Malaysians. It’s not because of the Selangor state government that we changed the syllabus so it’s long before that,” he said.
Nazri also questioned Utusan for deceiving Malaysians on BTN.
“You tell me, can I lie? I can’t. They must use their head lah. If they want to deny and all that. If the other side they do not know, it’s different but all these people were involved with BTN before. They were facilitators and directors so they know what’s going on.
“Come on lah, please, this is not 1961 or the 1970s. Information is freely available. I want them to get out of the denial syndrome, admit it and that’s in line with the PM’s slogan so why shouldn’t we change?” he asked.
The PR-led Selangor government recently imposed a ban on its civil servants and students within its state-run educational institutions from attending BTN courses, while Penang — another PR- governed state — is said to be considering similar action.
But the hawks in Umno, through Malay-based dailies like Berita Harian and Utusan Malaysia, have moved to defend BTN and attacked its critics as “traitors” who are trying to politicise the issue.
Utusan yesterday urged the government not to “bow down” to the opposition on BTN and said that it was Nazri who wanted the programme to be revamped even though the move was decided by the Cabinet.
Comments (69)
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written by jz, December 07, 2009
I never thought I would say this about Nazri Aziz....He has guts and my negative opinion about him is changing .....hehehehe
written by Lung Hien Ching, December 07, 2009
Incredible! I cannot believe my eyes! Is this the same Nazri? Will I see his statement in the other news media like the Star, New Straits Times or better yet Utusan Malaysia? Quick someone record this statement for prosperity!
...
written by Onlooker, December 07, 2009
I this true? Or my eyes playing tricks on me? The kettle calling the pen black?
...
written by ng boon tat, December 07, 2009
written by ng boon tat, December 07, 2009
this is very strange...his conscience got the better of him lately??
BUT all said and done...for the first time, he has earned my respect...for calling a spade a spade..
BUT all said and done...for the first time, he has earned my respect...for calling a spade a spade..
written by coke, December 07, 2009
At least Mr Nazri is doing the right thing. Wrong is wrong and Correct is correct. Dr M better keep his mouth shut and enjoy the rest of his life.
written by gsk democrat, December 07, 2009
at least at times, nazri s brain working well, or is it working better because he can whack certain group in umno + mahathir...................
written by Shift, December 07, 2009
"The tale of the two cities" wrote about two brothers grew up to become enemy in a revolution war, remember the Serbs propaganda that change two close friends into enemy, when war broke in, one of them and his heavily armed friends went to kill his friend together with the whole family, Dato Nazri said there is nothing to hide about how BTN has destroyed many friendships between various races in Malaysia.
written by Malaysiacoverup, December 07, 2009
Wow, UMNO couldn't agree on the defination of racist, ala South africa or ala zimbabwe or ala malaysia. What about Ahmad Ismail, is he a racist?
written by maresma serting, December 07, 2009
At least, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz admit it ! bravo.. now he become real fighter fr "negara bangsa".
written by Anti Mamak, December 07, 2009
Datuk Nasri I must congratulate you for calling a spade a spade. You got guts. But take care. You may be arrested for sodomy like our former DPM Annuar.
This NAzri must have been strikened by a bolt of lightning of virtue !! Incredible to hear him saying this !!
written by change28, December 07, 2009
Credit where credit is due!
This time Nazri has got it right and he has the courage to state it.
Syabas Nazri!
This time Nazri has got it right and he has the courage to state it.
Syabas Nazri!
written by Malaysian, December 07, 2009
Aiya, Nazri Aziz must be having this in his head "Siapa Tun Dr. Mahathir?"
Try doing the same when TDM is still the PM?
I doubt!
Try doing the same when TDM is still the PM?
I doubt!
..written by Samson, December 07,
Guys...tomorrow he will sing a diffferent song...and ask for forgiveness and says the press has reported wrongly....hahaha!
Didn't someone say there was nothing racist about BTN? So was it spreading some racial propanda or not? If TDM is 'bloody racist' with his comment about BTN, can we the rakyat know what the BTN is all about, considering there was so much 'hush-hush' over it? Who is behind the course?
And now since the gov is talking about an overhaul/revamp/improvement of BTN, which specific areas are they looking into?
I think either those who have attended the BTN are either generally very tolerant people, or they were simply forced to submit themselves to what was being 'taught'.
The coming GE will see people voting based on facts like this, not their hearts as claimed by the gov. And there was certainly no surprise in the high emmigration rates revealed recently.
And now since the gov is talking about an overhaul/revamp/improvement of BTN, which specific areas are they looking into?
I think either those who have attended the BTN are either generally very tolerant people, or they were simply forced to submit themselves to what was being 'taught'.
The coming GE will see people voting based on facts like this, not their hearts as claimed by the gov. And there was certainly no surprise in the high emmigration rates revealed recently.
written by Pan, December 07, 2009
hmm.. while the soundbites from him seem like fresh air, I'm honestly very wary of anything that comes from an UMNO man, even when he is lambasting his party's faithful media mouthpiece.
There's always more than meets the eye and it'll be interesting to see how this pans out on and why DSNA is going all the way on this issue.
There's always more than meets the eye and it'll be interesting to see how this pans out on and why DSNA is going all the way on this issue.
written by pengsanlo, December 07, 2009
My earlier comment that Mathatir hated Nazri and therefore disagreed with his statement on BTN seems correct. Mathatir is not speaking from his heart. He is not genuine. My hats up to Nazri for standing his ground and telling him what he thinks of the old man. Couldnt agree more. Perhaps someone should put a survey up on this oldie. Sheesh.
written by Matteo, December 07, 2009
It will be great that people recognise racialism in Malaysia as first espoused by the shameless Mahathir and perpetuate by him. He thought it could and it did got him the support to become PM. He now has to justify himself before history and to soften all the terrible things he did to so many outstanding malays to hold on to power.
written by y-y, December 07, 2009
Just another play to assume rakyat will fall for the bluff? Sama-sama dua lima...
Why does it matter or what he try to proof by making such a statement, and to be publisize later. Just abolish the whole "whether to revemp or not BTN" already...
Why does it matter or what he try to proof by making such a statement, and to be publisize later. Just abolish the whole "whether to revemp or not BTN" already...
written by Concern Malaysian, December 07, 2009
BTM stands for Bureau for Transforming Malaysians...........go there for brain washing....Dr M , you should just keep quiet and not behave you are the ruler...your days are gone...Nazri yes go after that old man for being racsist...if indeed what nazri said is true should it not that Mahathir be charged under Sedition Act since a Minister is calling him a racist!
written by JUSTICE FOR ALL, December 07, 2009
Bravo Nazri! We're fair people, if you're right, you'll be equitably acknowledged.
written by fred, December 07, 2009
If every govt MP is like Mr Nazri, there is still hope for Malaysia.
written by John Lim, December 07, 2009
Wow, really an eye-opener. If more UMNO top guns speak and act like him, PR will face big challenge in GE13. History speaks, political parties that going on the middle ground will always get the biggest support. I wonder when UMNO + dogs will understand this.
written by B.U.N., December 07, 2009
It is time for all Malaysians to recognise Mahathir for who he is and the policies he stands for. He is the man who single-handedly destroyed the institutions of public administration, education, law and justice, religious freedom and tolerance in the country. He is the man who promoted racism, the abuse of power, corruption and cronysm, all in the name of being the chamption and defended of Malay rights and of Islam but in reality the destroyer of the Malay people and their opportunity to be significant players in the world. He is the person whose model Islamic state is one of racism, abuse of power, cryonyism, corruption, injustice and intolerance. It is time for history books to show him for the person whom he is.
...
written by Osama, December 07, 2009
We have so far seen the turmoil and the circus in MCA and MIC, now Malaysians, let the UMNO show begins. They had hidden the turmoil in UMNO well because of their control over the Main Stream Media, but they cannot control the alternative media.
Sit back on your arm chair and let us enjoy ourselves what is going to uncover in the rotten to the core UMNO. Muhyddin is absolutely ambitious and his supporters are pushing him to move higher as they see Najib to be vulnerable, with too much baggages. Altantuya, Submarine, Sukhoi, CIMB........ and the list goes on.
Sit back on your arm chair and let us enjoy ourselves what is going to uncover in the rotten to the core UMNO. Muhyddin is absolutely ambitious and his supporters are pushing him to move higher as they see Najib to be vulnerable, with too much baggages. Altantuya, Submarine, Sukhoi, CIMB........ and the list goes on.
written by Osama, December 07, 2009
Malaysians, understand that Nazri is an UMNO ( rotten to the core) politician. He has always been the PMs man as far as his seat in the Cabinet is secure and his interests well taken care of. Just do not place to much hope, just sit back and watch the sandiwara unfolds. Enjoy yourself folks.
written by Botox, December 07, 2009
Has Nazri gone mad ? I mean, how is it posibble he says things that are reserved only for the opposition and those who have brains?
Hoi, Naz, you can get rudely sacked for this , you know? even if it is true.
Hoi, Naz, you can get rudely sacked for this , you know? even if it is true.
written by pat ling, December 07, 2009
Sighting a single swallow doesn't mean that spring is here. Well I guess people in this part of the tropics may not realize that since it's summer all year around. These flers are known for their play acting. So don't jump to conclusions, certainly not yet. Everyone of them is an Oscar winner. On top of that with their track record on credibility (is "incredible" the word then to describe them?) we just cannot be sure if this fler, the old man and all the others in their gang that have been making all kinds of noise, objections and opinions are incredibly play acting. The nation can just sit back, relax and watch the Oscar winners on stage, yeah
written by cowmoo, December 07, 2009
I just witnessed what looked like a porcine creature passing outside my window.
written by Rookie, December 07, 2009
Nazri... U hav the guts to said the right thing... slam those support the wrong-doing. i hope tis is for real n not for show only... Keep up the good work n not merely talk...
written by Mama Mia, December 07, 2009
Cheers Datuk Nasri at last you have woke up from your slumber. Yes you are right our TDM is a racist. Thanks for calling a spade a spade. But please be careful you may arrested and charged for sodomy just like Annuar.
written by mamuayat, December 07, 2009
ada perubahan pada nazri...syabas...berilah peluang kepada beliau untuk berubah.Everybody deserve a 2nd chance
written by desertbug, December 07, 2009
Nazri, this turnaround is a surprise. A pleasant and unexpected one at that. Shows this man has the guts to face the truth. It is public money spent on instilling the wrong concept of ketuanan melayu. perhaps the last bastion of the phrase. Malays have a crucial role and a role which no one can deny. The role of the other races that make up Malaysia is just as important and cannot be disregarded which has been and still is the case. It will be a cold day in hell, when racism in Malaysia no longer exists.
Let's have more "Nazris" coming to the fore. Hurrah....
Let's have more "Nazris" coming to the fore. Hurrah....
written by Tong Sam Pah, December 07, 2009
Nazri, Nazri......You were the numero uno in polishing Pak Lah's baxx when Pak Lah was in power. Now, you want to be Najib's numberv one baxx polisher!!!
Wait, I remember you were also polishing Mahathir's baxx when he was the PM?!
Will the real Nazri please stand up to be recognised?!!!
Wait, I remember you were also polishing Mahathir's baxx when he was the PM?!
Will the real Nazri please stand up to be recognised?!!!
written by Ng Yook Lin, December 07, 2009
Datuk Seri Nazri - I salute you, the BN will recapture support if ministers like you continue to be sincere and forthight.
written by Saudagar Mimpi, December 07, 2009
Nazri is just tryin to score points, want to win the people's support.
Remember he is only REVAMPING the BTN, not discarding.
So he wants to be seen as a hero, without having to discard the BTN!
Do you see the government's strategy?
Do you see the game they are playing??
Remember he is only REVAMPING the BTN, not discarding.
So he wants to be seen as a hero, without having to discard the BTN!
Do you see the government's strategy?
Do you see the game they are playing??
written by anti-Mahathirism, December 07, 2009
Nazri, I respect you most this time for the right word on former PM for 22 years. Absolutely right!
Umno today racist as such because of this so called statemen. Tunku Abdul Rahman sack him from Umno to avoid ultra-racist from splitting our multi-racial society. Unfortunately, he climb into power and clinched on for 22 years of absolute power. Malaysia society today is not we should proud of.
Umno today racist as such because of this so called statemen. Tunku Abdul Rahman sack him from Umno to avoid ultra-racist from splitting our multi-racial society. Unfortunately, he climb into power and clinched on for 22 years of absolute power. Malaysia society today is not we should proud of.
written by Quid Pro Quo, December 07, 2009
It's about time for Dr Mahathir to do a DNA test to see where he belongs! This might perhaps open his mind to see that race is only skin deep.
written by GRAND OLD MAN, December 07, 2009
Someone plan a comeback into Umno holding Senior Minister in the cabinet. Wait and see!
written by Ehoe, December 07, 2009
Datuk Seri Nazri, hat's off to you. That takes gut and we rarely have seen this in BN's politicians, calling a spade a spade. The last one in BN was Datuk Zaid Ibrahim.
By the way your time in that shit party is numbered and have you prepared yourself for that day when the warlords drew their krises for your blood?
By the way your time in that shit party is numbered and have you prepared yourself for that day when the warlords drew their krises for your blood?
written by vegetarian, December 07, 2009
Nazri, Nazri, Nazri.... you be the next PM lah... now we know who is the real racist is... jus hantam him when you dapat peluang like this.. but bro, jaga jaga sikit, coz he is the best sneaky politcian we ever had..
written by joe friday, December 07, 2009
Nazri has got guts to say as it should be. Syabas for his bold stance on this matter!
written by Borneo Man, December 07, 2009
For once, I salute you Nazri. You are right about Mahathir and that sycophant used toilet paper call Utusan Malaysia. And you are absolutely right on BTN being a racist organisation. I hope you stand your ground because they are going to tear you to pieces
written by adamckteh, December 07, 2009
At last Dato Nazri has found his conscience and turned over a new leaf.
liang sin fa sian.
Yes I agree TDM is a racist.
liang sin fa sian.
Yes I agree TDM is a racist.
written by V, December 07, 2009
My opinion of Nazri has changed today...brave and bold to reveal the truth. Dr.M for heaven sake please enjoy your retirement...stop meddling...there are others who can run the country better.
[Source: Malaysian Insider]
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