Headline :Umno Youth launches guide book

Date :10/03/2004
Page Number :08
Byline : By Tan Choe Choe; R.S. Kamini

KUALA LUMPUR, Tues. - Umno Youth has come up with "ammunition" to be used by its public speakers to rebut opposition attacks.
"Info Pemuda", a 200-page reference book, is also to be used to further the Barisan Nasional's campaign for the general election.
The book, authored by the Umno Youth Academy, was launched by Umno information chief Tan Sri Megat Junid Megat Ayob at Menara Datuk Onn at the Putra World Trade Centre.
Umno Youth deputy chief Datuk Abdul Aziz Sheikh Fadzir said it was the duty of Umno Youth leaders to disseminate correct information to the public.
He said the primary objective behind the book was to undermine Pas by pointing out the BN's achievements over the years.
"We want to show them that Pas has only made empty promises and will continue to do so. We want them to see how important it is that BN is given a new mandate."
There are two sections in the book, A and B, each containing five chapters.
While the former section deals with political and national issues, the atter deals with a wide range of statistics, from election seat allocation to crime rates, poverty rates and key economic indicators.
One chapter in section A states that Malaysia is an Islamic country by drawing similarities between the BN Government's administration with that of Prophet Muhammad's.
It also defines the position of non-Muslims in an Islamic country like Malaysia. Abdul Aziz said Chapter Two focused on Malaysia's economic achievements from the implementation of the New Economic Policy to the Five-Year Development Plans.
The book also provides an explanation of the budget complete with strategies used to stimulate the economy.
BN's approach to education is dealt with in Chapter Three, which explains issues like the national education policy, the teaching of Science and Maths in English and the problems of privately-run religious schools (sekolah agama rakyat).
Abdul Aziz said the book also dealt with how the BN faced social issues like poverty, employment and rural development. He said 4,000 books have been distributed to Umno Youth centres nationwide.
Also present was Umno Youth assistant secretary Datuk Abdul Rauf Yusoh, Umno Youth Inormation chief Datuk Azimi Daim and Umno Youth treasurer Wan Khairi Anuar.