No DAP or communist propaganda in schools through comic book

Penang-based Asia Comics and Cultural Museum has denied it was spreading DAP and Communist propaganda in schools, as claimed by former premier Najib Abdul Razak.

Museum curator Hew Kuan Yew said the comic book titled 'Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for Win Winism' is a proper publication which has been registered with ISBN (International Standard Book Number).

The publication is a collaboration between Hew and local artist Chong Po Ling, popularly known as Tomato.

"Yes, we have sent the Malay version to libraries in secondary national and vernacular schools for free.

"The content is a good analysis on the Belt and Road Initiative, it is not a DAP or communist propaganda.

"This is for the students to know more about the mega-policy of BRI, from theory to practice," Hew told Malaysiakini.

"This book was presented to top Chinese leaders like China president Xi Jinping (below, far right)  by our very own Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in April this year, to encourage better cooperation between the two countries," he added.

When contacted, Penang Deputy Chief Minister II and executive councillor for education P Ramasamy also denied that Hew was spreading party and communist propaganda in school, saying "he is no longer a DAP member".

In his Facebook post yesterday, Najib asked Education Minister Maszlee Malik if his ministry had allowed for the comics to be distributed to schools.

Najib alleged that the museum based in Komtar, funded by the Penang government, was spreading propaganda in secondary schools.

"The propaganda in the comic book glorifies DAP, and gave the impression that the Malaysian government was a hypocrite in its treatment of communists.

"(The comic also) tarnishes me, my family and the previous government. Is this the education policy of #MalaysiaBharu?" said Najib.

He was referring to a letter dated October 1, issued by Raymond Chong, the museum manager to a secondary school in Penang.

The letter stated a Malay version of the comic book will be sent to the school to help students understand better the Belt and Road initiative.

During Najib's rule, Mahathir had also proposed that the biography on Rosmah Mansor be distributed to schools, as the book had been then published to stifle "lies and jealousy" about the then PM's wife. - Mkini