Jalur Gemilang should be revered, not disrespected - Saifuddin

KUALA LUMPUR: The Jalur Gemilang (National Flag) is a symbol of national greatness that must be revered, and its image should not be tarnished in any way, Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said.

He said the use of Jalur Gemilang as the national flag has its own method, in which it is displayed on its own.

"At times mistakes are made in the manner the flag is put up and flown. Such mistakes have happened in the past. For example, we put up a banner and the flag is put behind the banner. In the front there are all sorts of wordings, people's faces... this we do not encourage. A flag must stand on its own.

"It is the same with clothes, we do not encourage it (flag) to be used as clothing. However, using the national flag colours on clothes is alright. If we want to use the flag we have to do it in its entirety... we can't (use it) partially and so on, this we do not encourage," he said in an interview in conjunction with the launch of the National Month and Fly the Jalur Gemilang 2021 campaign that was aired on TV1 today.

In this regard, Saifuddin said the Communications and Multimedia Ministry, via the Information Department, has published a book that contained explanations on national symbols such as the Royal Standard, the Coat of Arms and the Jalur Gemilang.

According to him, through the book, the people can refer to the actual method of using the symbols and there will ensure there are no more mistakes.

On the National Month and Fly the Jalur Gemilang 2021, Saifuddin, who also chairs the National Day and Malaysia Day 2021 Celebrations Main Committee, said various types of content have been arranged to enliven the celebrations this year, including talk shows, films, documentaries, fun competitions, photography, poetry recitals, storytelling competitions, 'TikTok Ilham Merdeka' and so on.

He also thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for also helping enliven the celebrations by coming out with a video with the Malaysian diaspora around the world that will be broadcast on Aug 31.

Meanwhile, he said the theme 'Malaysia Prihatin' (Malaysia Cares) has been retained once again as it is in line with the ongoing situation that symbolises the government's concern towards the various races in facing the COVID-19 pandemic in the last two years.

"Although we are still struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to celebrate National Day together to express our patriotic spirit. This theme is right to convey the message that the government continues to care for the welfare of the people. We (the government) want to see the people always united, under any circumstances," he said.

He said regardless of whether the celebration was held physically or virtually, the spirit of commemorating the significant date of Aug 31 should always be ingrained in the lives of Malaysians.

-- BERNAMA