Perlis launches National Month with youth-focused patriotic activities
The initiative aims to cultivate patriotism among younger generations through interactive activities.
Perlis Information Director Aidatul Shima Che Hassan highlighted student involvement in a decorated bicycle parade and crafting the longest Jalur Gemilang.
She noted the participation of 14 departmental vehicles and 30 motorcycles from the Perlis Scooter Club in the Kembara Merdeka Jalur Gemilang convoy.
The convoy will traverse three parliamentary constituencies over two days.
Indera Kayangan assemblyman Gan Ay Ling officiated the event, emphasising community engagement.
Aidatul Shima urged residents to support the 1 House 1 Jalur Gemilang Campaign as a tribute to independence heroes.
SK Seberang Ramai Headmaster Suzaide Md Noh expressed pride in hosting the launch.
He said the programme gave students firsthand exposure to independence values through flag-making and performances.
Suzaide hopes the experience will leave a lasting impression on the pupils. - Bernama
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Malaysiakini
11 minutes ago
- Malaysiakini
True patriotism includes empathy, forgiveness
COMMENT | A key component of patriotism is empathy and forgiveness. I was therefore saddened that despite a public apology for mistakenly flying the Jalur Gemilang upside down, a school in Port Dickson continues to be ridiculed and its error politicised. I am not defending the wrongful display of our national symbols. The Jalur Gemilang must be treated with the utmost respect. But let us also remember that the mistake was made by a worker with an intellectual disability. It was corrected within two hours after it was publicly highlighted. The school has also since apologised and committed to stronger oversight. Yes, a mistake was made, and it is not a trivial one. But our reaction should not overshadow the values our Merdeka spirit stands for.
Focus Malaysia
an hour ago
- Focus Malaysia
Flag blunder gives patriotic Akmal ammunition to position himself as an undisputed race, religion defender
AS SOON as a politician opens his mouth to speak on any issue – big or small – the whole matter becomes politicised. The latest storm to hit the headlines is the brouhaha over the national flag – the Jalur Gemilang – which was flown upside down at a Chinese-medium school. DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke claimed that 'certain quarters' were trying to politicise the incident but by virtue of his party status, he laid himself opened to prompt retaliation. UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh – the ever the party sentinel and warrior – returned fire, pointing out that Loke himself had politicised the issue by touching on the incident. Both politicians are playing politics but the more controversial of the two is Akmal who is ever on the look-out for sensitive issues to exploit and play to the gallery. True to form, Akmal went ballistic seeing the flag incident as a form of disrespect to your country. If you turned the flag upside down, it means you do not love your country. You have no fire of patriotism in your belly. Patriotism is such a loaded word today for it can be used or misused to suit one's political purpose. In the Malaysian context, when you say you are a patriot, it means you are largely fighting for your race and religion. Patriotic opportunist But when you say you are not patriotic, it connotes that you do not want to defend your country with your life. The argument can be further stretched to mean that you have no right to call Malaysia your home and must therefore be stripped of your citizenship or be treated like second-class citizens. It is not too difficult to fathom what Akmal is really aiming at when he beat his breast and screamed: 'I am a patriot!' The 'mistake' – accidental or not – happened in a Chinese-medium school and therein lies the crux of the matter: Akmal seems to be questioning the loyalty of an ethnic race, not just the students. Although the Education Ministry has promised a tough response against SJKC Chung Hua in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan where the incident took place, Akmal might have other ideas in mind. He, too, wants stern action to be taken but what type of punishment can satisfy his political appetite? Let's make an educated guess. At a time when the existence of Chinese-medium schools has always been questioned, Akmal perhaps wants to see all such schools transformed into national schools where, he believes, patriotism is deeply embedded. Political mileage If this becomes a reality, this UMNO tiger would receive a tremendous boost to his political ambition and could be well on his way to a higher rank in the party or even gets a shot at an important cabinet post in the future. Akmal picks and chooses which topic can light up the country and in patriotism, not tariff reduction (a difficult subject), for he finds this is an ideal platform to whip up a perfect storm. Like clockwork, the Barbarism SOP kicks in whenever we approach a 'sensitive' patriotic season. Say the wrong thing, share the wrong post, blink in the wrong direction — and congratulations, you're suddenly 'anti-national.' The witch hunt begins. Doesn't matter who you are, or… — Fahmi Yumi 🕊 (@kaiyumi42) August 6, 2025 Patriotism carries within it the seeds of race and religion and can readily catch the attention of the grassroots Malays when all this potent combination is exploited. Patriotism also means you must defend king and country and a flag represents the fighting spirit of the citizens. So, when Akmal sees a flag flying upside down, it is equivalent to burning it or stomping on it. And when the incident happened in a Chinese-medium school, it is unforgiveable because it seemingly calls into question the loyalty of the Chinese community. Akmal's diehard fans may even postulate that Chinese schools do not teach patriotism or inculcate its spirit in their pupils and therefore they pose a threat to national security in the future. This is a simplistic argument which does not carry much weight because the Chinese – and all the other ethnic communities for that matter – have always called Malaysia their home. They have long ago planted the flag of patriotism in this native soil to which they will live, work and die in this tanaair kita (our motherland) – with or without Akmal. – Aug 7, 2025 Phlip Rodrigues is a retired journalist. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
Flag-raising campaign makes pit stop in PJ
Mohammad Zahri (second row, sixth from right) launching the 'Kibar Jalur Gemilang' campaign in Petaling Jaya ahead of National Day. — Photos: CHAN TAK KONG/The Star The 'Kibar Jalur Gemilang' programme in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, kicked off with a bustling day of activities at Laman MBPJ. The event is part of the broader 'Kembara Merdeka Jalur Gemilang' (KMJG) campaign in conjunction with National Day celebrations. The Petaling Jaya programme in Jalan Yong Shook Lin saw a gathering of about 1,500 people including residents, representatives of educational and financial institutions, hospitals, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the private sector. The 'Kembara Merdeka Jalur Gemilang' convoy being flagged off. Activities included a colouring contest, food truck sales, seedling giveaways, PJ Eco Free Market, Library on Wheels and lucky draw. A 50% membership discount for the PJ community library was also offered. Among the visitors was Nurul Ain Manan, who brought her children to help them gain a deeper appreciation of the country's independence. 'The National Day programme allows us to experience the spirit of independence and patriotism. I want my children to see that. 'Although we can access information about Merdeka, it's not always accurate online and can be misinterpreted,' she said. The event was launched by Petaling Jaya mayor Mohamad Zahri Samingon, who also flagged off the KMJG convoy. The convoy featured 98 participants and 62 vehicles from various federal and state government agencies including MBPJ, the Information Department and Selangor Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission. The programme received support as well from the Harley Davidson Club PJ, which turned up with 10 high-powered motorcycles. Selangor Information Department director Kazidi Mohd Zainudin said Selangor was the fourth state in the KMJG convoy route after Johor, Melaka and Negri Sembilan. The day before, the convoy passed through Sepang district where the baton was handed over by a Negri Sembilan representative to the Selangor counterpart. 'Petaling Jaya is the second checkpoint in Selangor after Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi. 'The next checkpoint is in Sabak Bernam, where residents will welcome the convoy before the baton is passed to the Perak team, the fifth state of the KMJG convoy's journey,' said Kazidi. He added that the campaign's aim was to ignite the patriotic spirit through the flying of the Jalur Gemilang and encouraging everyone to raise the flag at their homes, business premises and on vehicles throughout the National Day period. Mohamad Zahri said the Information Department had approached Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) earlier this month to collaborate. 'We are giving our full support for the flag-off of KMJG. 'Today, we held eight of the 24 programmes lined up under KMJG. 'The programmes covered themes such as nationhood, community, arts, sports and public health,' he said. Among the programme highlights is the International Aikido Shudokan Training Camp on Aug 22, which will attempt a Malaysia Book of Records entry with 1,000 Malaysian women participants. A wide range of National Day-themed activities will take place until Sept 16. In conjunction with Malaysia chairing Asean, the Placemaker Week Asean seminar will also be held from Aug 27 to 30.
