'Flying national and State flags doesn't reflect political support'
Published on: Thursday, August 31, 2017
Kota Kinabalu: Flying the Jalur Gemilang and State flag in conjunction with the National Day celebrations does not mean one is associated with any particular political party, said State Local Government and Housing Assistant Minister Datuk Joachim Gunsalam. Instead, he said, it reflects patriotism as Malaysians. "It does not matter which party you belong, we are still Malaysians," he said when officiating the Jalur Gemilang and State flag distribution programme, organised by Kumpulan BTC Berhad led by its Managing Director Datuk Abdul Kadir M.E. Sikkandar, at Wisma BTC in Inanam, Wednesday.
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He said many premises, especially privately owned, were still not flying the flags. "I think we can do more to show our respect for our country by flying our national and State flags."Whether you fly the Jalur Gemilang or State flag, it should be more or less the same, you have to respect that we are Malaysians. "It does not matter if you put up the Jalur Gemilang or the State flag. If it is the National Day in remembrance of our independence, then we should also fly the Jalur Gemilang," he said.
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A total of 5,000 flags were distributed during the programme which also featured a parade of antique cars flying the flags. "This is our annual programme which we have been doing for the past 10 years, not only in Kota Kinabalu but in all our 20 branches across the State, namely Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Tawau and Putatan," said Abdul Kadir.
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This time around, between 10,000 and 15,000 flags were distributed by the Kumpulan BTC Berhad Statewide. "I urge all businessmen to also do the same because distributing flags does not mean we support any party. This is our country and we must take the opportunity to encourage every Malaysian to fly our flags with pride," he said. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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