In The Ring > Standing up for our flag

On Sunday, we celebrate our 51st year of nationhood. As always, there are the parades and activities throughout the country to mark the significance of that date.

And rehearsals too, of marching bands and representative groups, so much so that the roads leading to the city stood still on Wednesday morning as fighter jets zoomed across the sky.

Merdeka is also the time for tear-jerker commercials and, for some, a walk down on memory lane of the fight for independence led by the multiracial partnership of Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, Tun Dato Sir Tan Cheng Lock, Tun V.T. Sambanthan and many other great individuals.

The nation's challenges did not end with the securing of Independence. The proclamation of the formation of Malaysia had to be postponed because of the opposing views of neighbouring Indonesia and the Philippines to the entity. Because our independence was achieved through diplomatic means, Indonesia considered Malaysia as a new form of colonialism. This led to the period of Konfrontasi, a time of great uncertainty.

It might be pure paranoia but I feel that this year, there are not as many flags flying from cars and houses as before. Discounting last years special 50th Merdeka celebration's, the anticipation of August 31 seems to have lost some of its vigour compared with the mood of previous years.

My concerns, however, became anger upon learning there was an active campaign on local blogs to fly the Jalur Gemilang upside down as a sign that we are a nation in distress. Distress?

I can't see an iota of logic in this. Are the proponents of this preposterous move aware of what their actions mean?

Every single country in this world has a flag. If you watched the just ended Olympics, you would have gained an insight as to what a country's or even organisation's flag means.

Simple, it means we exist. Flags announce our presence. Most importantly, it defines a country and its people and flags inspire and proclaim victory.

When our Lee Chong Wei lost the gold but won the silver, did you not see the Jalur Gemilang flying regardless?

Flags are certainly not mere colourful decorations. The belief in ones flag makes one even willing to die while fighting to uphold its meaning.

The Jalur Gemilang symbolises Malaysia as a country and each and every one of us, as its people. Each of us owns a piece of that cloth and what it symbolises. As such, our national flag must be held above and beyond the realm of partisanship, political and otherwise.

Why do you think the term desecration is used when one misuses or disrespects any national flag? Discretion has a religious connotation.

The Jalur Gemilang is one of the few remaining unifying themes that keep the dream of Malaysia alive. The spirit and hope of Malaysia is embodied in every aspect of the flag. The 14 red and white stripes represent each of the States and the 14-point Federal Star of equal width signifies equality of all of them.

Those who have been in support of this upside down idea must take a good hard look at themselves. If we accept the parameter that we are a nation under distress, how does flying the flag in such a manner solve our problems? At a time when the rakyats voice matter's most, we really don't need a silly stunt like this to aggravate and misrepresent our nation’s status.

Most of us may not be able to relate to the struggle and the anguish of achieving independence but logic tells us this respect the flag as you would respect yourself. No matter how angry or disillusioned you are.

When our flag was hoisted in Dataran Merdeka replacing the Union Jack in 1957, it wasn't a victory confined to those who had directly struggled for and achieved independence. It was a victory for each and every person in this country, dating back to when our sovereignty was first taken centuries ago.

The history of this bravery in fighting for our freedom is manifested in our flag that first came into being 51 years ago. And through out our history since then, even in difficult times from the Emergency through to the Confrontation and more, never has our flag been flown upside down.

It is a citizen's right to or not to fly the Jalur Gemilang in celebration of Merdeka or on any other occasion. But treating our flag in such a manner? What’s next, flag burning?