MOE lavishes RM8.4m on Jalur Gemilang pins: Justifiable or sheer act of mis-prioritising

Focus Malaysia

2 days ago

THE fall-out from flying upside down flags continues unabated.
When an issue is given plenty of traction by agenda-setting politicians, this is among the consequences.
It was reported by Malaysiakini that the Education Ministry (MOE) had budgeted RM8.4 mil for the allocation of Jalur Gemilang badges to five million students nationwide.
'Wearing the Jalur Gemilang badge on students' uniforms is one of the ministry's initiatives to instil patriotism and love for the country among students from an early age,' claimed Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek in a written Dewan Rakyat response to Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman (PN-Kuala Krai).
The government spent RM8.4 million to procure Jalur Gemilang badges for distribution to more than 5.14 million students nationwide, said Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.
She said the allocation covers students in schools, matriculation colleges, Form Six colleges, and teacher… pic.twitter.com/9a7r9ItkRj
— malaysiakini.com (@malaysiakini) August 12, 2025
However, not everyone bought into the argument with many presumably parents keen to share their two sen on the hot topic.
The issue of taxpayer monies being frittered away on non-essential items was highlighted. Could the funds have been better allocated, wondered some commenters.
Other commenters did not mince their words with what they thought of this expenditure.
There were quite a few suggestions on how better to spend the cash. One commenter pointed out the usefulness of lockers to alleviate heavy and overloaded bags for students.
Getting more schools IT-ready was another suggestion proffered. Purchasing of smart boards would have benefitted needy schools.
The same news report was highlighted on X by truth seeker FreeMalaysian (@FreeMsian) who queried the cost of the pins, suggesting there was leakages into the pockets of cronies.
Each pin cost 80 Sens? They would have paid a Chinese factory 10 sens each and the rest pocketed by crony. https://t.co/8Hhxgd5BR7
— FreeMalaysian (@FreeMsian) August 12, 2025
To further illustrate the point, this poster displayed an advertainment on shopping platform Lazada for a similar badge which cost less than 50 sen.
When purchasing in large volumes, FreeMalaysian contended that MOE should have been able to bargain for an even lower price – 'not paying double the advertised price'.
It was a sentiment that others seemed inclined to repeat. One commenter pointed out that this is what it means to have connections – it is somehow an automatic get rich scheme.
For the record, the Nibong Tebal MP's reputation has taken a battering as many questioned her logic in spending this amount on what is perceived to be nothing more than a public relations stunt. It was claimed that public interest was secondary to 'her boss and party'.
The PKR women's wing chief's track record was further put under the spotlight with one commenter claiming that she has done little for the MOE. Is this overpriced badge scheme the best she can do?
Demanding that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim replace her, it was lamented that she has been a poor choice of minister to helm a vital portfolio.
Will pupils who wear the badge upside down be punished? That query summed up what many seem to think of the latest scheme cooked up by the learned Education Minister who was previously an activist and lawyer specialising in Islamic family law and child welfare.
But then again, it is often said, a country gets the government it deserves. The unfortunate consequence of this is that taxpayer monies are spent on inconsequential, overpriced items. – Aug 13, 2025
Main image credit: Bernama