Netizens Confused By KPN's Tweet About Not Wearing Jalur Gemilang-Themed Clothing
Earlier this month, Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah discouraged members of the public from wearing the national flag.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 13 Aug 2021, 06:38 PM
A tweet by the Ministry of National Unity (KPN) has confused many netizens as it says that members of the public should not wear Jalur Gemilang as part of their clothing
The tweet was published on KPN's official Twitter account at 11am today, 13 August, more than two weeks ahead of National Day — which falls on 31 August.
Citing the Department of Information (JPN), KPN published a photo that says, "The use of (Malaysia's) flag on tables, cushions, curtains, umbrellas, towels, face masks, hats, songkok, tanjak, sampin, clothes, and others are not allowed."
It also added that it is not allowed to cover vehicles with the Jalur Gemilang.
Netizens were bewildered by this, as in the past, many famous personalities were celebrated for incorporating Malaysia's flag into their clothes
From Sudirman Arshad to Datuk Sri Siti Nurhaliza and national astronaut Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, many netizens replied to KPN's tweet by uploading photos of famous Malaysians wearing the Jalur Gemilang.
One netizen even cited a 2016 tweet by JPN, where they lauded a family for wearing Jalur Gemilang-themed clothing.
In 2006, then Deputy Culture, Arts, and Heritage Minister Datuk Wong Kam Hoong said it was okay for Malaysians to creatively incorporate the Jalur Gemilang into their outfits
"It's all right if people wear it as an outfit, as long as the intention is to show love and pride for the country," Wong told The Star on 23 August 2006.
Wong also mentioned that the late singer Sudirman wore the national flag as a stage costume while he was performing a patriotic song.
He only cautioned members of the public against using the Jalur Gemilang as seat covers as they would be sitting on the flag, which is deemed disrespectful.
Then Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin also echoed the sentiment.
On 7 August, Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah discouraged members of the public from wearing the national flag
He said the Jalur Gemilang should be displayed on its own, reported Bernama.
"At times mistakes are made in the manner the flag is put up and flown. Such mistakes have happened in the past. For example, we put up a banner and the flag is put behind the banner. In the front there are all sorts of wordings, people's faces... this we do not encourage. A flag must stand on its own," he said during an interview in conjunction with the launch of the National Month and Fly the Jalur Gemilang 2021 campaign.
"It is the same with clothes, we do not encourage it (flag) to be used as clothing. However, using the national flag colours on clothes is alright. If we want to use the flag we have to do it in its entirety... we can't (use it) partially and so on, this we do not encourage."
Saifuddin then urged members of the public to refer to an e-book published by JPN, where it contains explanations on national symbols, such as the Royal Standard, the Coat of Arms, and Jalur Gemilang.
He also said the rakyat should refer to the book so that there will not be any misuse of the national symbols.
