KUCHING: A political solution must be found to address the issue surrounding those who disrespect the national anthem Negaraku, opined Sarawak Patriots Association (SPA) chairman Datuk John Lau Pang.
Commenting on the case of seven individuals who faced trial in the Sessions Court here on October 11, he said he was unsure whether settling this in court was the right way, adding that the people involved should be given a chance.
Datuk John Lau
He noted that Section 8 of the National Anthem Act 1968 clearly stated that people must stand up when the national anthem is played or sung to show respect, and failing to do so would be lawfully wrong.
“Based on what I have read in the newspapers, the issue has not been properly addressed as I have read that the seven individuals are currently facing trial in the court. I am not too sure the court is the right avenue to settle this as I am more in favour of having an amicable solution to settle a dispute.
“There is nothing wrong going to the court but finding an amicable solution is much better than to punish them straight away. We must give people a chance and punishment should only be applied if there is repeated occurrence.
“As such, we need to find a political solution to find out how we can address the issue and we need to talk to them using a political will so that this incident would not happen again,” he told reporters after a luncheon at Sarawak Club here yesterday.
Last Friday, seven individuals including a woman claimed trial in the Sessions Court for their refusal to stand up for the national anthem.
According to the charge sheet, they had committed an offence punishable under Section 8 (3) of the National Anthem Act 1968, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code.
If proven guilty of the offence, they will be liable to a fine not exceeding RM100 or imprisonment of not exceeding a month.