LETTER TO EDITOR
By Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye
KOTA KINABALU: The recent incident involving a shopkeeper in Kepala Batas inadvertently displaying the Malaysian flag upside down has sparked a heated debate leading to attempts to politicise the matter.
While some call for immediate action against the individual, I believe a more measured response is warranted.
Accusations of deliberate disrespect towards the national flag, especially during the upcoming independence celebrations, are premature and potentially unjust.
Who, in their right mind, would intentionally disrespect the national flag?
The very act of displaying the flag, even incorrectly, suggests a desire to show patriotism, albeit a misguided one.
It’s far more likely that this was a genuine mistake, a lapse in attention, rather than a calculated act of defiance or disloyalty.
It was reported that the police have forwarded the case to the Attorney General.
The ball is now at the Attorney-General’s court.
It’s best that he drops the case and decide not to press charges.
The act of flying the flag inappropriately in this instance was never intentional. It was an oversight.
Before condemning someone, we should examine the context and consider the possibility of human error.
A genuine mistake shouldn’t overshadow the underlying intention, which in this case appears to be one of loyalty and national pride.
The shopkeeper has subsequently admitted his mistake and has said he loves the country.
Let’s focus on fostering unity and understanding, rather than fuelling division and judgment. Perhaps a gentle reminder of proper flag etiquette would be a more appropriate response than harsh criticism.
To prevent similar flag-related mistakes in the future, several approaches can be considered:
We could launch public awareness campaigns emphasising correct flag display protocols. These campaigns could utilise various media channels (TV, radio, social media, posters) to reach a wide audience. Simple, visually engaging materials would be most effective.
We could also provide readily accessible and easily understandable guidelines on proper flag handling and display.
These could be distributed through residential organisations, schools and online platforms. The guidelines should include illustrations showing the correct and incorrect flat placement.
By combining these preventive measures, we can significantly reduce the likelihood of similar incidents occurring in the future. The focus should be on education and understanding, rather than punishment.
