Malaysia’s flag phobia: Are we to ban “Captain America” movies and french fries next?

 

IN a nation that prides itself as a melting pot of diversity and unity, the recent uproar over a Chinese flag on a rocket replica at a carnival in Johor feels like a surreal overreaction.

It seems like some Malaysians have developed a new level of hypersensitivity that even foreign flags are treated as threats to national dignity.

Next year, Malaysia will host the ASEAN Summit where flags from member countries will be prominently displayed. Will this too be forbidden? Will the government insist on not flying the flags of the 10-member bloc as they are deemed offensive and an affront to national pride? The absurdity is staggering

For starter, China became a dialogue partner of ASEAN in 1991. In 2003, the relationship was elevated to a “strategic partnership” with China appointed an Ambassador to ASEAN in 2012. The current relationship is both broad and deep.

And what about the “Captain America” movie franchise?  Will cinemas be forced to pull the plug on Marvel blockbusters simply because ‘America’ is in the title? What next? Rename “french fries” in fast food outlets? And insist that “Indomie” – a proud Indonesian product – that is a popular Malaysian comfort food, be re-branded?

Is the Madani government going to pull the plug on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) news channel? Is the BBC which is funded by the British Government spreading imperialist propaganda?

Football fans, take heed. Those jerseys of your favourite foreign national teams might just be the next target. Will we soon see a public outcry against Malaysian supporters who, for example, buy and wear the England jersey which features the country’s coat-of-arms?

Mind boggling phenomenon

The Johor carnival incident isn’t even an isolated case. Just a few months ago, photos went viral suggesting that Malaysian students in Penang waved Chinese flags during a visit by Chinese naval students.

The uproar turned out to be unfounded; the flags were held by Chinese nationals studying at the school. Yet the outrage was swift and vicious – exposing how easily people jump to conclusions in their quest for controversy.

This paranoia is particularly baffling given how Malaysians are now more favourable towards China.

A recent Merdeka Centre survey found 77% of Malaysians viewed China favourably this year compared with 39% in 2022. Among Malays alone, it jumped from 28% to 73%.

Captain America is a superhero created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby who appears in American comic books published by Marvel Comics

As China continues to rise as an economic giant, our interactions with Chinese businesses, investments and even culture will inevitably deepen. Do we expect to build ties with a global power while throwing tantrums over flags?

This isn’t about protecting national pride; it’s about manufactured outrage and political posturing. Foreign flags, symbols and cultural exchanges don’t weaken Malaysia – they enrich us. Our multi-ethnic fabric thrives because we have embraced diversity, not stifled it.

If a single flag on a carnival rocket or a group of foreign students holding their national flag can cause such disproportionate reactions, then perhaps the real threat is not foreign influence but our own inability to differentiate between unity and unnecessary fear mongering.

It is time to grow up and focus on what truly matters: building a Malaysia that is confident enough to co-exist with the world, flags and all. –Focus Malaysia