Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah
KUCHING: National anthems are sacred and should not be regarded as mainstream pop songs ranked by popularity in music charts, says Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
He pointed out that it is very rare for countries to change their national anthem given that the musical composition is a symbol of patriotism and love for the country.
Abdul Karim was asked to comment on Parti Bumi Kenyalang’s (PBK) call for the country to introduce a new national anthem to replace ‘Negaraku.’
“The national anthem is something sacred which has been agreed upon when a country is formed or reached its independence and therefore should be maintained.
“We cannot just change our national anthem akin to how we follow the ranking of songs in the Top 40 or Billboard music charts,” he told reporters when met after officiating What About Kuching (WAK) 2019 and the 6th Borneo International Beads Conference (BIBCo) at the Old Courthouse here today.
Abdul Karim stressed that when Malaysia was formed, it was agreed upon that ‘Negaraku’ would serve as the national anthem of the country.
“Our national anthem is very sacred to all of us and we should not even be questioning it in the first place because this is a sign of disrespect and disloyalty.
“If (PBK president) Voon Lee Shan wants to change the national anthem based on how it’s ranked in music charts, maybe he can do it if he forms his own country,” he quipped.
He also emphasised that issues concerning the national anthem or even national flag, should not be politicised.
“If we feel that we did not get the rights we deserve or that our rights were eroded, that is politics and that is for you to show your displeasure during the election.
“Do not show your displeasure by not standing up when the national anthem is being played or disrespecting the national flag when it is being hoisted,” he said, adding that these are two different matters and the people must be mature enough to look at it from that angle.
Voon on Wednesday said the country’s national anthem “lacks originality” as it was supposedly from a tune called ‘La Rosalie’ written by French musician Pierre-Jean de Beranger and that there is a Chinese song that bears the same tune as well.
He opined that there was nothing wrong to have a new national anthem that carries a tune and lyrics to fit Sarawak’s own culture.