Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh has defended the ministry’s decision to introduce the Jalur Gemilang badge initiative for students, stating that it is aimed at fostering patriotism and national unity, and should not be dismissed as a mere symbolic gesture.
Responding to public criticism, Wong (above) acknowledged concerns raised by parents and various quarters, including additional financial burden, practicality, and safety risks.
However, he assured that the initiative had been carefully considered with students’ best interests in mind.
“At the outset, some parents worried that this would be an extra cost for them. The ministry understands this, which is why each student will be provided with two national flag badges free of charge.
“We are not making decisions from the comfort of an air-conditioned office; we are thinking from the perspective of the children,” he said in a statement posted on his Facebook yesterday.
He also addressed concerns about the sufficiency of two badges, especially for students who wear multiple uniforms.
“The badges distributed are pin-on, not sewn patches. This allows for easy usage, with one for daily wear and another as a backup,” Wong explained.
On safety concerns, particularly the risk of scratches during sports activities, Wong, who has a child studying in government schools, shared a personal perspective.
“I asked my daughter, who has been wearing a prefect’s badge for two years, whether she had ever been injured by it. She hasn’t. If she had, I would be more concerned than anyone else,” he shared.
The media reported that all students at institutions under the Education Ministry will be required to wear a national flag badge beginning April 21.
According to the ministry’s circular, the cabinet approved the guidelines on Feb 14.
This is applicable to all government schools, government-aided schools, matriculation colleges, and Institutes of Teacher Education, while other educational institutions are encouraged to adopt the practice.
The initiative, however, drew flak from several quarters, with MCA calling for the Education Ministry to disclose the names of companies involved in the tender process on the badges publicly.
Fostering patriotism beyond symbols
Wong acknowledged differing viewpoints but stressed that symbolic initiatives such as this can coexist with substantive educational efforts.
“The most frequently debated issue is whether wearing a national flag badge truly instils patriotism or makes children love their country more. Many have criticised it as a superficial and symbolic gesture.
“Some have suggested that the ministry should instead focus on integrating patriotism and national unity into the education syllabus to foster a deeper sense of national identity.
“Has the ministry had nothing better to do? Absolutely not,” said Wong.
While it is fair to question the effectiveness of the national flag badge initiative, he said its significance should not be dismissed outright.
“How do we teach our children to take pride in being Malaysians? How do we educate them to unite under the Malaysian flag?
“The 2027 education syllabus aims to nurture a generation of students who take pride in their Malaysian identity. We want to raise children who are united, harmonious, and ready to become the nation’s future leaders.
“If the national flag badge is seen as merely symbolic, then the curriculum reforms provide substance. The two are not in conflict, nor are they mutually exclusive - they can coexist and complement each other,” he explained.
Not a zero-sum game
Wong also refuted some critics who questioned why the government is funding this initiative instead of channelling resources into infrastructure improvements or student welfare.
“This is not a zero-sum game. Last year, we allocated RM284 million for book vouchers for students from Year Four and above, ensuring that every child, regardless of race, religion, or family background, received support,” he said.
He added that this year, RM791 million has been allocated for school opening assistance, providing RM150 per student across all ethnic communities, and RM869 million has been set aside for the breakfast programme for underprivileged children to ensure they receive nutritious meals.
“There are many ongoing initiatives. The provision of national flag badges does not mean that these efforts are being sidelined,” Wong stressed.
He cited the GenMadani (Madani Generation) initiative, launched last year, which also seeks to instil patriotism and a spirit of cooperation among students.
He pointed to a recent GenMadani performance at the Islamic Science University of Malaysia in Negeri Sembilan, where students showcased cultural diversity through performances featuring Malay traditional drums, Indian drums, 24-season drums, and a Chinese brass band. - Mkini
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