If BTN was well intended than perhaps the whole point of having the program at best is a misguided reading of the problems we face as a nation (ie lack of unity, nationalism and patriotism). Personally, I feel that nationalism and patriotism cannot and should not be defined by the government.

The idea of patriotism being defined by the state is reminiscent of the logic of the nation-state popular during colonial times: One Nation, One Race and One Religion (or at least this is how I understood it). Today, the idea and ideals of loyalty and love for the country is much more complex. We recognise plurality in peoples, ethnicities (a more fluid and cultural representation of groups rather than the biological deterministic notion of race) and spiritual loyalties (not necessarily only of organised religions).

In short, we love and experience our country and history in more ways than one. And in this plurality, no single group including the government can claim authority over the representation of what is and what is not patriotism and nationalism.

Plus no one should prioritise political history and economic history over the many overlapping realities that make the historical and contemporary experiences of Malaysians; let alone to sanction one version as the official version. Since we cannot grasp the diversity in a single curriculum (it would be tedious to say the least), hence any project at instilling nationalism by the state is going to misrepresent, whether it is by a BN or PR-led government. If anything, the state can perhaps simply provide the space for people to share in the multitude of experiences of our multicultural society.

For this, we should promote more people writing their histories, museums coming up with plurality in its exhibitions, and a school curriculum that allows for research into the social histories rather than to regurgitate the history of those who wield power. For these to flourish, perhaps the government can sponsor more in the arts (not just academic, but also in visual and performing arts). Hence, what makes BTN a poor performer in my view, is not who says what, rather what it excludes. And this is in part necessitated when we formalised the experience and appreciation of patriotism and nationalism.

THAT is what BTN taught me. Now, tell me, isn’t that unfair? As far as I know, I was born in Melaka, and so were my parents, and my grandparents!! Don’t I deserve to be treated like a Malaysian? I am not a PENDATANG!

Is this the aim of BTN?! How am I then supposed to be loyal to this country?

[...]

Huraian Sukatan Pelajaran Sejarah
Sekolah Menengah Rendah yang dikeluarkan oleh Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia ada beberapa objektif yang perlu di sasarkan dalam pendidikan sejarah di sekolah:

Pendidikan Sejarah bertujuan untuk memupuk dan memperkukuh semangat setia negara dan jati diri sebagai warganegara Malaysia dan warga dunia. Melalui
pengetahuan dan penghayatan sejarah tanahair dan sejarah negara luar yang berkaitan, para murid dapat memahami keadaan masyarakat dan negara serta
hubungannya dengan sejarah dunia. Usaha ini bertujuan mewujudkan semangat perpaduan dan kekitaan bangsa dan negara Malaysia. Pendidikan Sejarah juga dapat
mewujudkan ingatan bersama terhadap Sejarah sebagai rangka rujukan kesedaran kebangsaan.

OBJEKTIF

Unsur Patriotisme
Fokus utama kurikulum Sejarah bertujuan menanam semangat patriotik yang memupuk nilai-nilai murni di kalangan murid bagi melahirkan warganegara yang:
i Berbangga Sebagai Rakyat Malaysia 
menghormati raja dan pemimpin negara
menghargai jasa dan perjuangan tokoh-tokoh negara
menghormati lambang-lambang negara (seperti bendera, lagu kebangsaan, jata negara)
menjaga dan mempertahankan maruah bangsa dan negara
menghargai dan mengamalkan tradisi dan budaya bangsa
berbangga dengan sejarah negara

ii Bersemangat Setia Negara
cinta akan bangsa dan negara
taat dan setia kepada raja dan pemimpin negara
sedia berkorban untuk bangsa dan negara
bertanggungjawab kepada bangsa dan negara
berani dan sanggup mempertahankan kedaulatan
bangsa dan negara
peka kepada masalah dan isu tentang bangsa dan negara
bersyukur sebagai warganegara Malaysia

Bersemangat Kekitaan
bersatupadu dan berharmoni
bertolak ansur dan bertoleransi
bekerjasama dan tolong menolong
hormat menghormati
bersefahaman dan bermuafakat
muhibbah atau semangat bermasyarakat

Please don’t subscribe to communists ideals.

As it is we have History, Religious Studies (for Muslims) and Moral Education (for non-Muslims) as core subjects in the school curriculum supported by the National Service. Aren’t these components enough to instil patriotism and love for the country?

The former PM is right in saying that the BTN helps to strengthen these values. I too believe that the BTN modules have been designed to instil all the positive values. Perhaps it may need some fine-tuning but overall the BTN syllabus is good. What needs to be given much thought is the target group which many, including the Minister in the PM’s Department, feel should include all Malaysians to be in line with the PM’s objective of 1Malaysia. The other area which should be given much thought is the selection of instructors. Currently, some of the personnel involved are nothing more than sadistic brain-washers. These are the people that need to be removed as they are the ones who have brought disrepute to the BTN course.

I am of the opinion that whatever courses that the government may come up with will not be effective except for wasting taxpayers’ money. The way to patriotism, love of country and race integration is the government’s willingness to be fair to all Malaysians by providing a level playing field. Also, statements made by some irresponsible people classifying non-Malay [Malaysians] as second class citizens does more harm than good. Policies that favour one race should be revamped. Only when all Malaysians especially the young ones feel that they have equal rights and opportunities in this country, will their mindset change. The government then will not have to worry about whether it will or will not be returned to power in the next general elections.

Reason? It is a sheer waste of money. Throughout my life, I have have been subjected to such indoctrination camps of various levels at least four to five times since I was in secondary school up until my adulthood. Apart from the fact that these indoctrination camps did not manage to penetrate through my conscience, it is a sheer waste of money. If you have been in the camps, you would know what I am talking about. Participants are fed six meals per day. And certain bumiputera or rather Umno-putera owned companies would be awarded to run these camps (including building them, security, food suppliers, cleaners etc). While one can argue that these camps provide job opportunities to the kampung folks living around where most of these camps are located, this is not how our tax money should be spent. And mind you, this is just the tip of the iceberg on how the money is spent on these camps.

Good values, civic-mindedness, patriotism and loyalty to the country and the people (notice I did not mention the King) can be instilled in schools. What are the schools for? Not just for producing top students who manage to get 22A1s in SPM but do not understand the values of the humanities or do not understand the real concept of democracy. This is where our taxpayers’ money, my money, should go. Into revamping the education system. I rest my case.

1. To ensure that Umno’s version of Islam is permeated throughout the nation. Think about it. Every single religious official is hand picked and fed Umno’s version of Islam. That it is OK to tread on non-Muslim rights, it’s OK to be racists, corruption is OK and that Malay Malaysians are better than anyone else.

2. To ensure that citizens, especially those in government have the servitude mentality especially to the powers that be. To unconditionally serve Umno’s purposes. Anything less than that – you are made to believe that you are the enemy of the state.

3. To ensure that every citizen, especially Malay Malaysians, are suspicious of other citizens. Only Umno can be trusted. This *trust* cannot be extended to any other BN component parties and other races. Ever wonder why all top government posts are now filled with Malay Malaysians? Specifically the Armed Forces, Police, including Special Branch, Rela etc. Who will these security forces serve should the opposition ever win the elections? Worse still, will they serve Umno and destabilize the country? As it is no secret that the Royal Malaysian Police along with its Special Branch exclusively work in unison with Umno.

4. The education system is politically motivated to ensure maximum indoctrination about the Malay race. Historical facts about Parameswara, Munshi Abdullah, Hang Li Po have been systematically eradicated from the syllabus or reduced to mere lines. Why? It doesn’t fit into the Malay supremacy ideology. Neither does archaeological studies on candi in Bruas, Kedah. Terms like Merong Mahawangsa, Chola Empire, GanggaNagara etc. are all a distant memory. Ask any schoolgoing kids these days – they never heard of it! But, instead students are made to learn about Arab culture which has no bearing on Malaysia or Malay Malaysians. Sure, Islam is the “official” religion, but since when did Malay Muslims become Arabs? The identity of Malay Malaysians has slowly been turned into Arab culture over the decades to fit into Umno’s Islamisation policies.

Has anyone stopped to ask why indoctrination and BTN is so important so much so that BTN reports to the Prime Minister’s Department? The answer is: Dr Mahathir. If you have all your citizens under your thumb you can do whatever you want. Every single government department under Mahathir’s rule was filled with Umno loyalists who exist till today. And Mahathir got away with it for a long long time. He had the citizens and even the royals under his thumb. His fatal flaw was he didn’t realise how popular DSAI is.

Still BTN continues the damage control on Mahathir’s behalf – painting DSAI as a traitor to the Malay race. BTN is the remnant of the Mahathir legacy. His gift to the average Malaysian from all walks of life. BTN is the reason why government service desks are rude. BTN is the reason why corruption is rife in the police force. BTN is the reason why people like Kugan are treated like animals by the police. BTN produced generation of “Cow-Head Protestors”. BTN produced religious extremists who now are in high religious positions pumping out fatwas like printing press.

[...] Every day we hear Utusan and other Malay propaganda machinery warn us, “Do not mess with Malay [Malaysians].” What is it that they know that they rest of us don’t? Is there a Plan B for Umno? Will there be a martial law exercised should the current government fall?

In order for Umno to set up an indoctrination plan – it first must believe that there is a clear and present danger of dissent in Malaysian society. BTN is the first line of defence. If so, what is the last line ?