Price of national flag less than a packet of cigarettes - Rais

The enthusiasm of the people to wave the national flag, Jalur Gemilang, is getting less although the flag costs less than a packet of cigarettes. Social Affairs and Cultural adviser to the government, Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim said this was very sad because flying the national flag was a way to express one's patriotism. "The problem is the lack of such feelings among the people, especially those in urban areas. "We also find students not imbued with love for the nation, which is symbolised by the national flag. The flag is the simplest and cheapest symbol and for the cost of eight cigarettes, we can buy and wave the flag." Rais said this, here, today after a ceremony at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) for the presentation of the academic title of Professor Emeritus. The title, created for the first time at IIUM, was given to its former second rector Datuk Dr Abdulhamid Ahmad Abusulayman. Rais said the spirit of waving the national flag.