“Crooning of Negaraku in Mandarin, Tamil, English amid informal setting can foster diversity, educational values”

 

WHILE rallying Perak state EXCO and Pasir Bedamar assemblyman Woo Kah Leong to sue pro-Perikatan Nasional (PN) blogger Ratu Naga for accusing him of being in the centre of a school in Teluk Intan having sung Malaysia’s national anthem in Mandarin, Siti Kasim has brought up a very pertinent point.

The human rights activist and lawyer contended that while the National Anthem Act 1968 does control the performing of the national anthem especially during official events, the Federal Constitution did not explicitly prohibit the singing of Negaraku in ither languages.

In allaying Ratu Naga’s claim that Section 2 of the National Anthem Act 1968 prohibits changes to the lyrics or the singing of the anthem in another language, Siti Kasim explained:

“No doubt this means Negaraku has to be sung in the national language but in an unofficial context, translating or singing the national anthem in other languages such as English, Mandarin, Tamil etc can foster better educational, art and cultural understanding.

“This isn’t against the law so long as proper care and respect is accorded to the national anthem.”

Editor’s Note: While admitting that she is prepared “to be picked up by the authorities anytime”, Ratu Naga whose real name is Syarul Ema Rena Abu Samah had in her self-defence accused Madani cybertroopers of “ever finding a slightest slip-up to nail her”.

This is given that she has deleted her controversial post 10 minutes after having posted it “but some Madani goons had somehow saved it to be used against me”.

Moreover, she has also apologised for her oversight and denied having any intention to viral the video given the video has already been taken down.

Whatever the case is, the crux of the matter remains that the schoolchildren were actually singing the Perak state anthem “Allah Lanjutkan Usia Sultan” – probably in a too glaring Chinese accent – instead of having altered Negaraku into Mandarin.

Siti Kasim further recounted a viral video in 2919 of schoolchildren singing Negaraku in Mandarin during lesson to enhance the pupils’ understanding on the meaning of the lyric and significance of the national anthem.

“Back then, the Education Ministry has clarified that this was merely done in a classroom environment as opposed to an official function,” asserted the Orang Asli advocate.

“Based on information I gathered from my own research, the singing of Negaraku in other languages apart from Bahasa Malaysia is permissible outside official events especially for educational purpose but the national anthem has to be sung in Bahasa Malaysia at official functions.”

Despite her justification, Siti Kasim opined that Ratu Naga has committed an offence of arbitrarily spreading hatred and slanders to incite racial discord especially in the eyes of nationalistic Malays towards DAP given that Woo is also the DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) chief.

“Although police reports have been lodged against Ratu Naga, I guess nothing will be done at the end of the day,” she reckoned.

“The entire episode baffles me as we should be proud that our Negaraku can be sang in multiple languages rather than to incite racial hatred even to the extent of involving innocent school children.” 

- Focus Malaysia