Minister: BTN will certainly be abolished

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Civics Bureau (BTN) will be abolished in the near future, says Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.

“We do not want BTN. It will be abolished,” he said during a forum titled “The Changed Political Landscape and the Aspirations of the Youth” at Sunway University here yesterday.

He was commenting on the government’s move to shut down the BTN that has been drawing flak over the years with allegations that it was being used for the indoctrination of racism and bigotry and only served its political masters.

On another matter, the Muar MP said he was committed to lowering the voting age from 21 to 18.

“I’m committed to make it happen by this term.

“We should not underestimate the wisdom of an 18-year-old and overestimate the wisdom of those above 50,” said Syed Saddiq.

He said as soon as Pakatan makes the announcement to allow voting by 18, incentives would be given to political parties to reach out to these voters.

“Young voters are much more open-minded.

“They are also open to dialogue and keen on a multiracial Malaysia,” he added.

However, he said without institutional reforms, the concept of youths identifying with a Malaysian identity could never be achieved. — Bernama