Patriotism is more than just a symbol on a uniform, argues outspoken activist and lawyer Siti Kasim, as she takes aim at the Madani government’s latest directive. The Ministry of Education (MOE) has announced that starting April 21, students in government and government-aided schools, matriculation colleges, and teacher training institutes must wear Jalur Gemilang badges to instill patriotism and national resilience.
In response, Siti Kasim has voiced strong opposition, questioning both the necessity and the financial implications of the move. In a recent YouTube video, she pointed out the massive procurement involved, with an estimated 10 million badges needed for around five million students across different levels. While the government has assured parents that students will not be penalized for failing to comply, the underlying concerns remain.
“We don’t know who gets the contract to supply at least 10 million pieces of badges" she asked, highlighting concerns over potential profiteering. She also criticized the practicality of the initiative, saying it places an unnecessary burden on parents.
More importantly, Siti Kasim believes that true patriotism cannot be enforced through symbolic gestures. She argued that policymakers should prioritize overhauling Malaysia’s struggling education system instead. “Moreover, if wearing a national flag badge can make its wearer patriotic, no county in this world need to worry any longer about their citizens rebelling or engaging in criminal activities.” she remarked.
She further pointed to Malaysia’s declining performance in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), where the nation has fallen behind Singapore, Vietnam, and Brunei in key areas such as mathematics, science, and reading.
Beyond the debate on effectiveness, Siti Kasim raised legal concerns regarding the use of the national flag under the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) (Amendment) Act 2017. The law carries penalties of up to RM20,000 in fines or a three-year jail sentence for improper use of national emblems.
Information Source: Focus Malaysia
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