SHAH ALAM, April 19 — The National Civics Bureau’s (BTN) recently-appointed director-general Datuk Ibrahim Saad insisted today that the agency does not get involved in the country’s politics.

Ibrahim said while he respects how politicians are constantly seeking to increase their influence, they should do so cautiously or they would risk ruining the country.

“In my experience, politicians don’t disturb what I’m doing but I respect their opinion as a politician because politicians want influence,” he told a forum organised by Malay daily Sinar Harian today titled, “Sampai Bila Mahu Rasis?”.

“But I ask the politicians, even though you want influence, don’t tear this country apart,” he added.

Ibrahim also claimed that there were fewer racially-charged incidents today than back in the 1970s and the 1980s.

As an example, he pointed out that Malaysians of all races are often seen sitting and even eating together in restaurants.

“Looking at restaurants, you can see Malays, Chinese and Indians sitting at Starbucks together, there is no problem.

“There are only problems come election period when there is a group who wants power and they use sensitive issues to get it,” he said.

Ibrahim said the few incidents of racism in the country should not be blamed entirely on politicians as their constituents were the ones who voted them into power.

“But we as an ordinary citizens using our votes, we must be smart in choosing our representatives.

“From Malaysia’s independence until now, we’ve been exposed to plenty of information. Don’t blame the politicians but choose the right person,” he said.

BTN is a three-decades-old agency under the Prime Minister’s Department tasked with promoting patriotism but is often accused of spreading racism.

Despite denials by the government and the agency, sporadic leaks of closed-door events conducted by the BTN featuring its staff have continued to entrench suspicions that the bureau was a hotbed of racism and “brainwashing”.