Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim has been forced onto the back foot as a video surfaced of his previous involvement in 'racist' courses conducted by the National Civics Bureau or Biro Tata Negara (BTN).

Anwar, who now leads the opposition Pakatan Rakyat coalition, admitted he had made the remarks but said he had done so then as an Umno leader.

NONE "I will defend my position (because) that was the position then as Umno vice-president or deputy president," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

"I was asked to speak at some of the sessions all the time when I was a minister...but later on we revised (the content) by (bringing in) issues of Islamic values, ethics and moral principles (and getting away) from the racist agenda."

The footage , which dates back to the 1990s, begun circulating recently on websites of Umno bloggers. The issue was highlighted today by English-language daily New Straits Times .

Anwar, who was Umno deputy president when he was sacked from his party and government posts in 1998, is shown defending the special privileges of Malays and saying that non-Malays should not question them.

"In the historical context of our agreement in 1957, we gave nationality to immigrants. Since we have done so, the question of Malay special privileges should not arise," he said in the footage.

His current view, however, is that the course content "has become worse" since his eviction from Umno.

' Selective' release

Anwar, who appeared unfazed by the release of the footage, said he anticipates that "BTN, in its crooked way, will not dare release all the videos of all the speeches".

"What they do is (selectively release footage) and quote (the content) out of context...This selective release was (done) actually by BTN because they don't have the courage to deal (with me) and face (me) head on, so they leaked (it) to Umno bloggers

"If they have the courage, they should release (everything). I want to hear the speeches of all the leaders, including mine. They should not do (it this way) because this is typical (of) BTN's (cowardly methods)."

BTN has been roundly criticised in recent weeks for promoting a 'racist' agenda through its courses.

The federal government has agreed to revamp the courses to bring these in line with its 1Malaysia concept.