PERIKATAN Nasional must revive propaganda agencies that served under the Barisan Nasional government, such as the National Civics Bureau (BTN) and Special Affairs Department (Jasa), said Umno lawmaker Ahmad Maslan.

“These agencies were among many that were shut down by Pakatan Harapan when it was in power.

“As a result, many had lost their jobs and, as such, the government should revive these agencies,” the Pontian MP said during the debate on the motion of thanks for the Royal Address in the Dewan Rakyat today.

The National Civics Bureau, or Biro Tata Negara, was established by Barisan Nasional in 1974 with the aim of instilling patriotism and training new leaders among the civil service.

BTN’s programmes, however, sowed controversy, with attendees complaining of racist elements and the explicit promotion of the concept of Malay supremacy, or Ketuanan Melayu, and loyalty to BN.

In November 2009, Selangor became the first state government to stop members of its civil service from attending BTN programmes. Penang followed suit later the same year.

On August 18, 2018, then youth and sports minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman announced that the BTN and National Service training programme were abolished. 

Similarly, Jasa was an agency started by BN under the Information Ministry in 1959 after the first general election.

It was formed to explain government initiatives before it deviated to promote BN and Umno, and attack the opposition. – July 14, 2020.