The Penang state assembly today rejected a motion by a government backbencher to pressure the federal government to dissolve the National Civics Bureau (BTN) course and review the courses at the National Institute of Public Administration (Intan).

Speaker Abdul Halim Hussain said that although the matter involved public interest, it was not urgent because the cabinet had promised to revamp the curriculum for the course.

NONE The motion was moved by Ong Chin Wen (PKR-Bukit Tengah).

Ong's proposal that the state government stop sending state government employees for the BTN course was also rejected.

Abdul Halim also rejected Sim Tze Tzin's (PKR-Pantai Jerejak) appeal to debate the motion.

On Wednesday, the Penang government took the cue from the Selangor government and banned all its employees from attending the BTN course with immediate effect.

Selangor's ban, which took effect last week, also covered students of institutions of higher learning which are fully owned by the state government.

- Bernama