Let’s unite under the (correctly flown) Jalur Gemilang

THIS month is always brimming with pride and patriotism as Malaysians get into the mood to celebrate National Day on Aug 31, with the red, white, blue and yellow of the Jalur Gemilang becoming ubiquitous.

From homes to businesses and along highways, the nation’s flag can be seen flying everywhere in August – on trucks, buses, large cars, small vehicles and even motorcycles.

It is a symbol of our shared identity and a visual reminder of Malaya’s independence.

More than that, the Jalur Gemilang is a tapestry woven with the history and aspirations of a diverse people.

As every school kid is taught, its 14 alternating red and white stripes represent the equal status of the 13 states of Malaysia and the federal territories, while the 14-point star symbolises our unity, and the crescent moon, Islam.

While it’s wonderful to see so many embracing the spirit of Merdeka by flying the flag, we must do so with proper respect.

It is disheartening indeed to see the flag displayed upside down.

According to vexillology, the study of flags, if a national flag is flown upside down deliberately – and “deliberately” is key – it is a signal of “distress, rebellion or surrender”.

So to display our national symbol in this manner is to send a message that is the very antithesis of the National Day’s joyous and united spirit.

A mindful understanding of what our national flag truly represents should accompany our patriotism.

Let’s fly the Jalur Gemilang correctly, with the blue canton and its star and crescent always in the top left corner.

By doing so, we not only honour our nation but also uphold its dignity as a symbol that embodies our collective pride, sovereignty and unity.

And in the spirit of that unity, let us not overreact when mistakes are made in flying the flag.

We’re human, and human beings make mistakes. When we do, we should apologise sincerely and quickly correct the mistake.

And that should be that.

However, some – especially politicians – take it upon themselves to “teach these people a lesson”, ever ready to raise unwarranted indignation and boycotts online and even organise street protests.

With the number of people putting up the Jalur Gemilang, the odds are someone is going to do so incorrectly – even the cops did so once in 2016, as a recent photo making the online rounds this week shows.

And we’re sure some uncle, aunty, makcik, pakcik and hapless prefect somewhere got it wrong too.

But we’ve been marking our independence for almost 70 years and our nationhood for more than 60 years.

We’ve made it successfully this far; surely a few flags put up incorrectly shouldn’t tear us apart?

So as we celebrate National Day on Aug 31, let us stand united under the Jalur Gemilang.