The distribution of a booklet, penned by Deputy Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin, distributed in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday was not done according to procedure.

Deputy Speaker Lim Si Cheng said this when quizzed on the matter at the Parliament lobby today.

The distribution of the 12-page booklet, titled Anjakan Bangsa , had raised the ire of Parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang.

"We investigated and found that one of the 'boys' (bentara) distributed the booklet and this was not according to procedure," said the deputy speaker.

He added that in future, the distribution of all materials, must adhere to procedure.

Apart from touching on the country's progress and contributions of past leaders, the booklet also contained several acerbic statements about the opposition.

These included on how PAS had allegedly objected to the government's decision to accept non-Malays as citizens of this country.

It also stated that the racial and religious sentiments exploited by PAS were threatening the unity of the Malays.

Not wrong

As for DAP, Zainuddin wrote on how the Malaysian Malaysia concept 'aimed at abolishing the special privileges of the Malays was inherited by DAP, which was formed through the People's Action Party'.

This, he claimed, became part of the DAP manifesto during the 1969 elections and it fueled the anger of Malays with the government for 'tolerating the non-Malays'.

Barisan Nasional MP for Santubong Wan Junaidi Jaafar, when met at the same venue, confirmed receiving a copy of the booklet.

According to him, he received the book at the lobby and not inside the House.

"It is not wrong to distribute or write a book on the struggles of the Malays. It is not a problem," he added

However, he said the distribution must be done in accordance with procedure, which is to file an application with the Parliament secretary.

Serious allegations

On the content, Wan Junaidi said he believed that the facts in the booklet were true, but the 'delivery was not accurate'.

He also claimed that 'maybe one or two' MPs had received a copy of the booklet.

Meanwhile, Lim said he protested against the booklet because it had contained 'serious allegations'.

He also pointed out that since the booklet was published by the ministry, it amounted to an abuse of public funds.

"He (Zainuddin) should not make use of public resources to promote party or individual causes. He's entitled to his views. But he should write under other publishers," he said.

Zainuddin could not be reached for comment.