BTN rebrand needed as youths ‘less sensitive’, says Azalina

The National Civics Bureau (BTN) needs to be revamped given the diverse nature of security threats, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Azalina Othman said.

She said the government now needs its citizens to be better “eyes and ears” for the state, and for young people to be more aware of such threats.

“We realise there are new threats to our security, and the rakyat play a crucial role in being the government’s eyes and ears. […]

“The government wants the rakyat to be more aware of national security threats, especially youths who seem to be less sensitive of this.

“Add this to disrespectful acts like stomping on pictures of national leaders, and now the threat of IS suicide bombers and kidnappings off the east coast of Sabah,” she said in a statement.

The statement comes following an announcement that a panel of independent members of civil society has been been appointed to conduct workshops to revamp the much criticised BTN.

Azalina said the panel will hold two workshops next month, to come up with a proposal to revamp the BTN subject to cabinet approval.

The panel, which include DAP’s Kepong MP Tan Seng Giaw, Sinar Harian chief editor Norden Mohamed and 16 others, are unpaid and agreed to do it as national service, Azalina said.

She added the panel was chosen to be as inclusive as possible as BTN is “an agency which trains society to love multicultural Malaysia”.

“I hope this rebranding exercise is not politicised by any party and that we all work together, especially on issues like national security.

“Our diversity is an asset, not a liability, in nation building,” she said in a statement.

The BTN has been lambasted as being “anti-national” by critics, including PKR Youth secretary Syukri Ab Razab who said he attended a BTN workshop as a student and was fed anti-PAS propaganda. -Mkini