BUKIT MERTAJAM, 22 Aug 2008: Malaysia should have laws to protect the country’s symbols to ensure they are not toyed with, said Deputy Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah.
“Prior to this, the Negaraku had been toyed with, and now there are people suggesting that the Jalur Gemilang be flown upside down.
“We must take action to teach those intending to fool around with the country’s symbols a lesson,” he told reporters after launching the Fly the Jalur Gemilang campaign at the Butterworth-Kulim highway toll plaza here yesterday.
He said although it was not the best solution, action must be taken against those who disrespect the country’s symbols, like the flag and anthem.
On 4 Aug, a blogger suggested that the people fly the national flag upside down to show that the country was in a state of “emergency”.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had described the blogger as “ill-mannered”. Police are reported to be investigating the blogger under the Sedition Act. – Bernama
