Beaming with pride: Students showing the Jalur Gemilang badge to be worn on their uniforms, at SMK Datuk Hj Abdul Kadir in Kepala Batas, Penang. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
KEPALA BATAS: Students at several schools here have begun wearing the Jalur Gemilang badge on their uniforms. It is an initiative that has received strong support from parents.
Checks at two schools in Jalan Datuk Haji Ahmad Badawi here showed students wearing the Jalur Gemilang badge.
At SMK Datuk Haji Ahmad Badawi, Form One student Mohd Fakhrullah Abu Bakar arrived at the school with his father.
With the Jalur Gemilang badge neatly pinned on the right side of his uniform, Mohd Fakhrullah proudly stepped into the school grounds.
“I felt great when we received the badge from our teachers and we are eager to wear it,” he said.
Last week, Mohd Fakhrullah and all his school mates received two badges each.
Another Form One student, Muhammad Firas Wahyu Mohd Firdaus also wore the badge with pride as he arrived with his father.
Muhammad Firas expressed his fondness for the badge, saying that it serves as a meaningful symbol of patriotism.
“I have no problems wearing it, it makes me feel proud and patriotic,” he said with a smile.
Form Two student Safiya Zulaikha Mohd Ikhwan echoed that sentiment.
She said she feels that wearing the Jalur Gemilang badge instils a sense of national pride and unity among students.
“I feel connected to my country every time I see the badge on my uniform. It reminds me of our independence and how important it is to love and appreciate Malaysia,” she said.
Meanwhile, 46-year-old parent Abu Bakar Saad, said the initiative is timely, as it is important to instil patriotism in the younger generation so they can grow up with love for their country.
“The wearing of the badge is a great move – it can inspire patriotic feelings among the youth,” said the factory technician.
He added that simple actions like this can go a long way in shaping young minds to value unity and national identity.
“As adults, we need to lead by example and support efforts that strengthen national pride,” he said.
Another parent, Mohd Firdaus Othman, 43, said he also supports the initiative and described it as a simple yet effective way to nurture nation-building values among the youth.
“Small efforts like this can leave a deep and lasting impact,” he said.
Housewife Zaiton Ahmad, 36, praised the initiative and described it as the right move in light of recent issues concerning the Jalur Gemilang’s sanctity.
“I hope this initiative will produce a new generation that loves the country wholeheartedly,” she said.
At SMK Datuk Hj Abdul Kadir, the students were ecstatic during the Jalur Gemilang badge pinning ceremony.
Form Five student T. Kiisyan said he is proud to wear the Jalur Gemilang badge because it strengthens his sense of patriotism and love for the country.
“It makes me happy to be able to love my country not only through words but also through my actions,” he said.
Another Form Five student, Lim Jia Qi, said it is a solemn duty for all students to wear the badge proudly.
“It is our duty to protect our identity and to love it” she said.
Syazwina Shibra Shaharrudin, also in Form Five, said that wearing the Jalur Gemilang badge not only strengthens her love for the nation, but also makes her feel truly grateful and proud to be a Malaysian.
“It helps to reinforce unity and foster stronger bonds among Malaysians, regardless of background,” she said.
“This will increase awareness among youngsters like me to respect our country flag more.”
