Information, Communications and Culture Minister Rais Yatim has denied claims that his ministry's Guide to Explaining Current Issueswas a government-funded propaganda manual to suit BN's agenda.
"That is a narrow and wrong view. The ministry's job is to explain issues. If the federal government is being slandered or there is a problem with Selangor's water supply, we'll explain it.
"Is this an abuse of power? No. If the Auditor-General's Report did not (make an issue of the book), the opposition should keep quiet.
"If the audit says that this is an abuse of power, then we will investigate it," he said.
Sometime during the middle of the year, the ministry's Special Affairs Department (Jasa) had published the 322-page manual which outlines the federal government's standard responses to many issues weighing down BN.
Among others, topics includes Teoh Beng Hock's death, the Bersih 3.0 rally, Anwar Ibrahim's alleged link with George Soros, the Scorpene submarine procurement, the Lynas rare earth refinery and the controversy over the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC).
"That is a narrow and wrong view. The ministry's job is to explain issues. If the federal government is being slandered or there is a problem with Selangor's water supply, we'll explain it.
"Is this an abuse of power? No. If the Auditor-General's Report did not (make an issue of the book), the opposition should keep quiet.
"If the audit says that this is an abuse of power, then we will investigate it," he said. Sometime during the middle of the year, the ministry's Special Affairs Department (Jasa) had published the 322-page manual which outlines the federal government's standard responses to many issues weighing down BN.
Among others, topics includes Teoh Beng Hock's death, the Bersih 3.0 rally, Anwar Ibrahim's alleged link with George Soros, the Scorpene submarine procurement, the Lynas rare earth refinery and the controversy over the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC).
'Condensed and factual'
Malaysiakini has sighted a hardcopy version of the manual. It is understood that Jasa operatives, who mostly perform information gathering and propaganda work, are supplied with a copy of the manual.
The manual can also be accessed from theJasa website.
The manual can also be accessed from theJasa website.
Speaking to reporters after a function in Kuala Lumpur, Rais also said the manual has been well-received by the people who seek information about politics, current affairs and the government.
"The explanations are condensed... easy to comprehend," he said, adding that it was shaped in a way to make it easy to carry.
To a question, he said the black-and-white manual cost between RM5 to RM6 each.
However, he said the cost of the manual was not important and the focus should be on its content which allows readers to understand the facts behind many issues.
"When someone make an allegation, we will clarify it objectively, clearly and factually," he said.
"The explanations are condensed... easy to comprehend," he said, adding that it was shaped in a way to make it easy to carry.
To a question, he said the black-and-white manual cost between RM5 to RM6 each.
However, he said the cost of the manual was not important and the focus should be on its content which allows readers to understand the facts behind many issues.
"When someone make an allegation, we will clarify it objectively, clearly and factually," he said.
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