Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid wants to buy 500 copies of a coffee table book about Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak for his staff at the Home Ministry.

The home minister said this at the launch of the book titled “Najib Razak 40 Years 40 Pictures” in Kuala Lumpur today.

And contrary to the expected practice, he pledged that the books will be bought with “his own money”.

“I think I'm also committed to purchase the book for KDN (Home Ministry) staff. I won't use government money. I will like to use my own,” he said.

Priced at RM140 a piece, this means that Zahid will be forking out RM70,000 from his own pocket.

The book was published by The New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad (NSTP) in conjunction with Najib’s 40th year in politics.

The 112-page book is a collection of 40 images from the archives of The New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad as well as from Najib’s own personal collection.

The images represent 40 moments within Najib’s political career which started after he won the Pekan parliamentary seat in 1976 after his father - the late Abdul Razak Hussein’s death.

Over 7,000 copies have been pre-ordered through corporate sponsorship deals with Khazanah Nasional Bhd, Tenaga Nasional Bhd, Permodalan Nasional Bhd, YTL Corporation Bhd, the Pahang Menteri Besar’s Office and the Prime Minister’s Office.

The book will be available at book stores nationwide from April onwards.