'If the biographies of world leaders such as Nelson Mandela and Lee Kuan Yew can be listed as reference books in libraries, why can't a coffee-table book on Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak be accorded the same status?'

This was the welcoming response by Education Minister Mahdzir Khalid to the Pahang government's proposal that the state library list the book Najib Razak - 40 Years 40 Pictures as a reference book.

Pahang will also distribute 2,000 copies of the books to all schools in the state.

At a press conference today during his visit to a secondary school in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Mahdzir commended the distribution of the coffee-table book as 'very good'.

"This is an initiative by the state. Maybe an NGO bought the books and we will not prevent them from distributing it," he said, pointing out the book was not political, but on a 'leader's profile'.

He said libraries often listed books on various leaders as reference books, from those on Malaysia's prime ministers to international leaders,

"In library, there are many books on Mandela, Lee Kuan Yew, all sorts of leaders. As Malaysia's PM, I don't think it's wrong to put a book on Najib there.

"There are also books on Tunku Abdul Rahman, Abdul Razak, Hussien Onn, Mahathir Mohamad, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Now, a book on the the present PM [...] I don't think it should be a problem," he said.

Najib Razak - 40 Years 40 Pictures was published in conjunction with Najib’s 40th year in politics and the images represent 40 moments in his political career which started after he became Pekan MP in 1976.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid has bought 500 copies of the book at the cost of RM70, 000 using his own money .

Supports Nazri's call

On another note, Mahdzir concurred with Umno supreme council member and Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Aziz in calling for stern action against party deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin.

Mahdzir, who is also an Umno supreme council member said that any organisation must have a strong team and avoid sabotage from within the ranks.

"I think it's necessary to have the matter involving Muhyiddin decided by Umno supreme council, and I support what has been said (by Nazri)," he said.

Nazri had said he will propose at the upcoming party supreme council meeting that Muhyiddin be suspended from the party for undermining party chief Najib.