Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister

"Datuk Seri Nazri's outburst is unbecoming and bizarre. I think people can judge both my father and Nazri by their words and deeds. I do not want to comment further on the matter as I am currently abroad on official duty."

Terengganu Umno chairman of Training and Cadre Bureau, former Umno supreme council member and former deputy minister. He spent more than a decade facilitating BTN courses

"There is nothing wrong with the programme. However, it should be upgraded to reflect the times. We cannot be stagnant. We must move on, so I suggest a few adjustments here and there. If there is anything to be changed, then it has to be the facilitators.

They are a key component of the programme and they must be vetted before being roped into it. Sometimes facilitators tend to get carried away and incorporate their own ideas. There is no element of racism in BTN course modules.

It outlines historical facts and how Malaysia was founded and even about the May 13 racial clashes. Just because of a few bad hats we cannot dismantle the whole system as the Malay saying kerana nyamuk, kelambu dibakar, or the English equivalent of "throw the baby out with the bath water".

Deputy Education Minister

"Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is not a racist. I disagree with Nazri. Dr Mahathir is a well-respected figure noted for his contributions to the nation. It is not right for Nazri to put forth such a comment. It is an unfair accusation.

The BTN courses are a harmonisation of the 1Malaysia concept. It's not just a slogan, it is a concept aimed at fostering national unity.

The rakyat needs to understand this and realise the things that we are trying to achieve. There is nothing wrong with the BTN courses, there just needs to be inputs to it."

Former Umno vice-president and Gua Musang MP

"Contradictory statements on the National Civics Bureau (BTN) by Umno leaders represent different viewpoints and agendas. Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is defending the BTN because of interests close to the Malays.

He sees the BTN from the Malay perspective like Malay supremacy, Malay rights as enshrined in the constitution.

"On the other side, Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz had the interest of the prime minister at heart. Nazri statements are in line with the PM's 1Malaysia vision. The best solution will be to scrap the BTN programme altogether. I got not problems with it closing down and the money used for better things.”

Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad

Selangor Menteri Besar's political secretary

"Nazri is frank and honest about the whole issue. I applaud him for this principle and I hope he has more support from his Cabinet colleagues. The government should now make a stand on the whole issue as the programme should have a better approach.

Re-module the syllabus and introduce a new approach. The programme is good but the modules are obsolete. Let's be honest and frank about the whole issue.

Malays should be taught how to move forward and the modules in the programme should be on seeking solutions to the Malay problems and motivate them to move forward. That's how the programme should be conducted."