'Guidebook on current issues not abuse of power'

The publication of a guidebook on current affairs by the Special Affairs Department (Jasa) containing the BN government's agenda is not an abuse of power, says Information, Communications and Culture Minister Rais Yatim.

Rais said the 322-page guidebook covering over 100 issues provided an opportunity for various parties to gain explanations on political, administrative and other issues including in states ruled by the opposition.

"The ministry's job is to explain issues and if the government is wrongfully accused and if many people in Selangor cannot get water supply, for instance, we have to explain why. Is this an abuse of power?" he said after launching the U-Pustaka campaign in Kuala Lumpur today.

Rais was responding to Malaysiakini report on Oct 13 that the government's agenda of playing up the opposition-George Soros link had been orchestrated by Jasa through the publication of the Guidebook to Current Affairs.

Also present at the launch were Rais' deputy Joseph Salang, ministry secretary-general Kamaruddin Siarap and Hasnul Hassan from national news agency Bernama.

'Good if more people can get a copy'

"The guidebook's contents are brief for easy understanding and it can be conveniently carried around as it can be slipped into the pocket.

"It'll be good if more people can get a copy," Rais said, adding that 50,000 copies would be printed at the printing cost at about RM5 to RM6 a copy.

"The cost is not important as the contents will enable the readers to discern the truth from false," he said.

On the action of two young lovers from Malaysia in Singapore who recently uploaded a sex video of them on YouTube , Rais said the ministry left it to the Singapore authorities to act since they were pursuing the matter.

"If they don't do that and then if there are reports here, the matter can be pursued under our law," he said.

On u-Pustaka (u-Library), Rais said it was one way to boost acquiring of knowledge in a faster and interesting way, while supporting the digital way of life.

He said since its launching in 2011 until Oct 17 this year, u-Pustaka had 322,872 members who recorded 11,000 book borrowing transactions, besides being visited online by users in 374 cities and towns in 104 countries.

- Bernama