KUALA LUMPUR: With the country’s 56th national day just four days away, the presence of national flag appeared muted.
An observation by Bernama found most of the vehicles in the federal capital did not carry the national colours as a symbol of patriotism.
Similarly, most business premises such as restaurants, private companies, petrol stations, shopping centres in Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Jalan Ampang and Jalan Genting Klang showed a noticeable absence of the national flag.
This is a departure from previous years when the city turned into a sea of national flags during this period.
Most of the individuals met by Bernama said the spirit of patriotism need not necessarily be expressed through flying the national flag while others gave various excuses.
Project manager, Mahadi Yusof, 33, said he did not make a practice of raising the national flag in his house or car as it was not a requirement.
“Nonetheless, I will ensure my family attend the national day celebration at Dataran Merdeka to show our support.
“I always relate to my children the trials and tribulations of the leaders and people in the pre-Merdeka days in fighting for Malaysia as a free and peaceful country,” he said.
On Monday, Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek expressed his disappointment on the subdued response of the people towards the ‘fly the national flag’ campaign in conjunction with the 56th Merdeka Day.
Meanwhile, a Malaysian flag and souvenir trader in a night market in Setapak, Abdul Latif Hasan, 38, said sales of the national flag had been slow moving so far.
“Usually sales of the national flags will surpass 2,000 pieces in August but this year only 20 per cent were sold so far.
“Most of those who purchased the Malaysia flags were tourists who are flag collectors,” he said, adding that the car flag is priced at RM3 while the regular flag costs RM15 each.
A private college student, Julia Lee, 21, said she did not fly the national flag as she did not want to be teased by her friends as being old-fashioned.
“I used to put a flag wallpaper on my handphone and was later ridiculed by my colleagues as being not ‘cool’ just like school children,” she said.
Selayang transport company owner, T Kumaran, 46, said he had bought 10 pieces of the Malaysian flags but felt it was too early to raise them at the shop.
“I am waiting for the National Day to put them up,” he said.
Meanwhile, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Institute of Malay World and Civilisation principal research fellow Prof Datuk Dr Teo Kok Seong hoped the people would put aside their political ideologies and respect the National Day celebraion.
“This maybe due to political hostility which has not subsided and therefore many are indifferent to flying the national flag.
“The community should come together in the spirit of Merdeka Day as the country is being perceived by the outside world as a highly respected nation,” he said.
According to Teo, flying the national flag should not be confined to the national day only but should be continuous to display and foster patriotism.
He also admitted that the practice should start from the young as early as during the kindergarten days.
This included teaching children to draw the national flag and other activities to highlight the roles of past national heroes, he said. — Bernama