I thought the issue has been settled and writing about it would be outdated.

"Basi" means stale in Bahasa Melayu. But obviously it's not. Not yet rather. Thanks to former PM Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. I am talking about the BTN courses, of course. Let's go over it.

First the Pakatan Rakyat government of Selangor said it had barred all students in state owned higher learning institutions, civil servants and employees in state GLCs from attending programmes carried out by the National Civics Bureau or Biro Tata Negara. Famously known as BTN.

The PR government alleged that the BTN courses are "actually indoctrination process by the BN government." Course participants, it was further alleged, "were given booklets which contained content, structured to inspire hate against opposition to the government."

The most damning accusation must be this: "It creates a racist phenomenon which seeks to divide the multi racial and multi religious community."

Selangor Executive Councillor in charge of education and higher education Dr. Halimah Ali was reported to have said. Her allegation if true would put the BTN courses opposed to the values and spirit of 1Malaysia. However, Halimah's allegations are not new. We have heard it before. Including accusation that BTN courses "tend to pit one race against another." But it was never substantiated.

Hence accusations remained accusations and mere allegations. Nothing cane out of it and the BTN continued with their courses. But when the Selangor PR government "made noise and came up with their ban," many talked about BTN and the courses it ran. Then the Penang government, also PR administered, mulled to go the Selangor way.

Along the way someone from PR (sorry can't remember who) said the PR would come up with their "own courses to replace the ones by the BTN." Huh? Haa? Huh?

I mean if if the BTN course are "no good and divisive" boycott it by all means. But please do not try to replace it. Do that and the BN will accuse it as "creating a racist phenomenon" and "structuring content to inspire hate towards the BN." The allegations are being hurled at the BTN now. It will never end. If the BTN course is no good, the PR need to just forget about it and move on.

However, to the BN the BTN courses are good. At least that's what they said when the Selangor government announced their ban. Top BN leaders (no need to name names as we know who they are, having read their statements in the papers ) opined that BTN courses are OK. To them the modules " inculcate sense of patriotism." And "to mould a progressive nation."

With backing and support of the BN big guns one would have thought the BTN are home and dry to carry on conducting their courses. After all there are "nothing wrong" with the courses.

But then Minister in the PM Department Datuk Nazri Aziz dropped a "shocker." He said the BTN courses will be revamped. And the BTN will change its curriculum because it's not in line with 1Malaysia. And that said Nazri was a Cabinet decision. Great. But while I applaud the decision, it still made me go " Huh? Haa? Huh! again. Nazri's announcement was made only days after the BN leaders who are also cabinet members defended the BTN courses as OK. Huh? Haa? Huh!!

Anyway, with the Cabinet already made their decision, one would think the issue have been settled. Right? Not really. In came former PM Tun Mahathir. He said there's no need to revamp the course. The BTN modules he said should be retained. Nothing wrong with it. Here I go again... Huh? Haa? Huh? What about it not being in line with 1Malaysia as said by Nazri?

Nazri said the revamp of the courses would go on despite criticism from many parties including Dr. Mahathir.

"They can say what they want but the Cabinet has already made its decision, "he was said to have said. That should settle it once and for all. Shouldn't it? Please say yes. I don't want to go Huh?Haa?Huh? again and again. (By MOHSIN ABDULLAH/MySinchew)