Movie-goers: Don't enforce National Anthem Act

The announcement that the Negaraku will have to be played in cinemas nationwide from Aug 28 up to Sept 3 has received a mixed response from the public.

The majority of the movie-goers interviewed said they have no objection to the directive.

However, they feel that it is not necessary to enforce the National Anthem Act 1968, which states any person who knowingly shows disrespect for the national anthem in any public place shall be liable to a fine not exceeding RM100 or to maximum jail time of one month.

Local film producer Huang Rui Xiang (left) said it is too much for the government to implement such a directive.

“I don’t understand why the government has (to resort to this). If you want to raise patriotism, you have many other ways of doing so.

“We have sung the national anthem at many rallies, including the Bersih rally. But we were still beaten up by the government. Isn’t singing Negaraku an act of patriotism?”

Huang also expressed doubt about the government’s reason for introducing the move.

Jagpreet Kaur, 33 (left), welcomed the decision.

“This is a good idea. I am a teacher; we can teach our students how to respect and love our country.

“This is one of the best ways to show how much we respect our country.”

However, Jagpreet said there was no need to enforce the law or mete out punishment.

“I don’t think so, because it has to come from everybody’s heart; whether you want to respect your country or not is your decision.”

‘This is not a communist country’
 
A businessman, who was only willing to be identified as Chong, 36, said there is no need for any such directive.

“We have been independent for 56 years and we should not turn into a communist country...

“Patriotism should come from the heart. If you love your country, you will love it by yourself, instead of only talking about it.”

While Chong believes the government may not actually punish anybody for breach of the directive, he said he would leave the cinema if anyone compels him to comply. 

Sales executive Muhamad Hafiz Abdul Hamid, 26 (left), lauded the move as “one of the best ways of (showing our) love (for) our country”.

“If all of us can sing Negaraku in the cinema, we would be proud of ourselves and proud of our country,” he said.

Muhamad Hafiz said it may be necessary to fine those who fail to follow the law but that it would be too much to jail a person.

“If the imprisonment can be changed to sapu lantai (community service), together with a fine, it would be better.”

Nur Khairunisa Li Abu Talip, 23, a fitness coach, said the period to enforce the policy is too long.

“Doing it on Aug 31 is okay, but one week is too long. It would make the people feel less respect for our national anthem.”