PATRIOTISM is a state of mind which cannot be represented by a piece of badge or a patch of accessory on the clothing.
Henceforth, Madani government critic Siti Kasim has an axe to grind with the Education Ministry (MOE) for imposing the wearing of Jalur Genilang badge on school uniforms beginning from April 21.
An MOE circular had on last Wednesday (March 26) stated that such initiative will apply to government schools, government-aided schools, matriculation colleges and teacher training institutes with the aim of fostering a spirit of patriotism and national resilience among students and educators.
Each pupil in the 2025/2026 school session will be provided with two free Jalur Gemilang badges, However, the MOE has somehow allayed concerns of parents that it has no intention to punish pupils who fail to adhere to its initiative.
“We don’t know who gets the contract to supply at least 10 million pieces of badges to approximately 5 million pupils from three levels – pre-school, primary and secondary.” ranted the human rights activist and lawyer in her recent YouTube video.
“Bear in mind this excludes those at matriculation colleges and teacher training institutes.”
On a more serious note, however, Siti Kasim contended that rather than boosting patriotism, such effort would be better directed at policymakers of national education focusing their energy on improvising the national school syllabus or the attitude of teachers towards teaching.
“The wearing of badge is cumbersome to parents … are you implying that school pupils of my generation who had never previously wore the Jalur Gemilang badge were unpatriotic?” berated the Orang Asli advocate.
“Also, parents with school-going children should ask the MOE if at all wearing of the national flag badge will lift the quality of our education given Malaysia’s PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) performance has declined substantially in 2022.
“Imagine we’ve fallen behind Singapore, Vietnam, and Brunei in all three assessed literacy domains of mathematics, science and reading.”
Hassle apart, Siti Kasim also raised concern over legal implication given the national flag is protected under the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) (Amendment) Act 2017 whereby Section 3 of the Act makes an individual liable to a fine not exceeding RM20,000 or a three-year jail term or both for abuse of usage.
“Do we want such law to be imposed on our children (for their ignorance)? Parents with school-going children must seek an answer from the MOE.
“Moreover, if wearing a national flag badge can make its wearer patriotic, n0 county in this world need to worry any longer about their citizens rebelling or engaging in criminal activities.” – Focus Malaysia
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