LETTERS: The recent incident involving a shopkeeper in Kepala Batas inadvertently displaying the Malaysian flag upside down has sparked a heated debate.
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 simple mistake, a lapse in attention, rather than a calculated act of defiance or disloyalty.
Instead of focusing solely on this individual’s error, perhaps we should redirect our attention to those who want to politicise or create divisiveness among Malaysians over the Flag.
Their action speaks volumes about their level of national pride, or lack thereof.
Empathy, understanding, and a willingness to consider alternative explanations are crucial in situations like this.
Before condemning someone, we should examine the context and consider the possibility of human error or an unintentional mistake.
A simple mistake shouldn’t overshadow the underlying intention, which in this case appears to be one of loyalty and national pride. After all the shopkeeper concerned had admitted his mistake and had declared his love for the country during this Merdeka month.
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 flag 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.
TAN SRI LEE LAM THYE
Kuala Lumpur
* The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times
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