Chong Chieng Jen apologises, retracts Negaraku statements

The Kuching MP and Sarawak DAP Chief Chong Chieng Jen has apologised over the statement he made on his Facebook denouncing the playing of Negaraku in cinemas during Merdeka Day and Malaysia Day celebrations.

“Though I feel that it is inappropriate to play the national anthem in entertainment outlets like cinema, but the words I used have been inappropriate.

“I hereby retract the posting and apologize for the comment made. I do not mean to demean our national anthem. In fact, my family and I stood when the National Anthem was played at the time,” he wrote on his Facebook.

Chong Chieng Jen

Screen grab from Chong's Facebook page, apologising for his earlier statement on the Negaraku

Earlier, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has crtiticised the statement made by Chong.

“Wow. I didn’t know the policy of playing the Negaraku before the start of a movie at the cinemas could be troublesome and an absolute disgrace and ridiculous.

“Maybe it is you that is an absolute ‘disgrace and ridiculous’ Mr Chong,” said Khairy on his Facebook page. Khairy also urged his followers not to comment with any racial slurs.

“Please respect one another. I think the majority of Malaysians do not agree with Chong. There is no need to mention his background or race,” added Khairy.

Khairy Jamaluddin

A screen grab from Khairy's Facebook page

Chong originally wrote on his Facebook page, "Since when has this playing of the national anthem in cinemas started?

"Is Malaysia heading towards the communist Mao era where everywhere you go, you must shout out loud and show that you are a patriot?

Chong Chieng Jen

The screen grab of the Facebook status which was uploaded by Chong Chieng Jen