SIBU (Aug 26): The public should not be afraid to fly the Jalur Gemilang as a show of patriotism and appreciation for the country’s independence, said Sibu district information officer Zaini Morshidi.
However, he reminded the national flag must always be displayed correctly.
“The act of circulating the improper display of Jalur Gemilang on social media has caused many to become hesitant about flying the flag.
“Don’t be afraid to fly the flag to express loyalty and allegiance to the country, and to show appreciation for our independence. But do ensure that it is flown in the right manner,” he said when officiating at the ‘Jiwa @ Komuniti Madani Swan National Day and Malaysia Day’ programme at SJK Tung Hua here yesterday.
Zaini also advised to politely correct anyone who displayed the flag wrongly, instead of making such incidents viral on social media.
“It’s better not to highlight these matters on social media, as it could affect harmony and unity among the people. Those who make such matters viral — where are their loyalty, constitutional nobility and sense of morality?
“If we appreciate and stay true to the Rukun Negara spirit, we would not resort to such actions,” he said.
He cited a clinic in Johor, which was ordered to close for 30 days after it was found to have displayed the Jalur Gemilang upside down.
“The matter went viral and indirectly damaged our unity, with some even labelling the clinic as a ‘traitor’. This should not happen. We are human beings, and there are times when we make mistakes or get confused,” he said.
Meanwhile, Zaini said Sibu has 18 Komuniti Madani out of 246 registered in Sarawak, and the Komuniti Madani’s role was to disseminate important information, especially government policies.
Among those present were Sibu District Office representative Ezekiel Lawat Winston and Komuniti Madani Swan chairperson Ting Giek.
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