PETALING JAYA: PKR Youth leader Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad has slammed the Government's decision to retain the National Civics Bureau (BTN), calling it disappointing.

In a statement on Wednesday (Aug 8), the Setiawangsa MP said BTN, which has had a highly negative impact, has become a political propaganda tool and used to incite hatred and fear among the different races and religious groups.

“We have also committed in Buku Harapan to abolish BTN.

“Moreover, the Minister of Youth and Sports Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman was reported as saying on July 9 - less than a month ago - that 'BTN will be abolished.'

“What has changed since then?” Nik Nazmi said.

On Monday (Aug 6), Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Mohamed Farid Md Rafik told the Dewan Rakyat that the Government was still trying to refine how the functions of the BTN could be improved.

Mohamed Farid said the matter has and was still being discussed in Cabinet.

Nik Nazmi said Mohamed Farid's promise that BTN modules would be “fine-tuned” and rebranded was doubtful.

“I do not doubt that, in good faith, he believes that this can and will be done.

“However, similar promises have been made in the past without any impact,” he added.

Nik Nazmi said a body like BTN, which seeks in effect to control the thoughts of Malaysian citizens, was outdated and had no place in the 21st century.

“Whether BTN promotes the ideals of Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Harapan, it still goes against the norms of a modern democratic state,” he said.

Nik Nazmi said Malaysians are watching the Government's every move and their estimation of it will rise or fall on how it performs in implementing its election promises.

“BTN must be abolished, full stop,” he added.