KUALA LUMPUR, April 22 (Bernama) — A national audit mechanism should be introduced to assess the level of understanding among individuals and institutions regarding the core values and national identity rooted in the Federal Constitution and the Rukun Negara.
Dr Noor Nirwandy Mat Noordin, Psychological Operations Fellow at the Centre for Media and Information Warfare Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), said such an audit should be conducted regularly to reinforce national awareness and prevent incidents like the recent display of an incomplete Jalur Gemilang.
“The (national identity audit) algorithm must be actively promoted across all social media platforms by government agencies, private entities, and Malaysians alike, to restore informal learning syllabi aimed at educating and cultivating a true sense of national identity and responsibility.
“This initiative is in line with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s call for serious attention to be given to such matters to avoid recurrence. A national identity audit could help address the root causes of issues that threaten the nation’s harmony,” he told Bernama.
The remark comes in the wake of an incident last week involving a Chinese daily that published an image of the Malaysian flag without the yellow crescent moon, which prompted His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, to express strong disapproval, stating that the editorial and management teams of the newspaper should have exercised greater vigilance and ensured proper checks before publication.
Noor Nirwandy also suggested that special attention be given to the younger generation in the proposed national identity audit, citing their increased exposure to rapid technological developments and social media, which, he said, often leaves them disoriented and unable to distinguish between fact and misinformation.
He said that if such an audit is conducted regularly across all levels of society, including education on the symbolism of every element of Jalur Gemilang, it could foster a new culture of national pride and patriotism.
“The flag is not just a symbol of our country’s sovereignty. It represents the dignity, honour, and identity of the people and the nation under the umbrella of protection of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” he said.
Nor Nirwandy said a blunder or a gaffe involving the national flag should not have occurred under any circumstances, as the national flag reflects the identity of the people and commands respect from all institutions and individuals in the country.
He further proposed the enactment of a specific national law aimed at protecting the country’s identity from any act that could tarnish or undermine it.
Noor Nirwandy said the Jalur Gemilang is more than just a national symbol – it embodies Malaysia’s identity and forms a core part of the country’s national security.
That is why it is vital for all Malaysians, as well as foreign entities doing business in the country, to understand and respect the meaning and significance of the national flag, he said.
On April 15, Sin Chew Daily published an illustration of the Jalur Gemilang on its front page as part of its coverage of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Malaysia, but the image of the flag was without the crescent moon, a key element symbolising Islam, the official religion of Malaysia.
The image sparked criticism from various quarters, including the King, with many netizens condemning the newspaper for its insensitivity.
Following the backlash, the local daily issued an apology, attributing the mistake to a “technical error” and expressing regret over the incident.
On 16 April, another media outlet, Kwong Wah Yit Poh, was asked by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to explain a post on its official Facebook page that also depicted the Jalur Gemilang in an incomplete form.
A few days later, a similar incident went viral on social media, involving a display at the TCE Baby Expo in Kuala Lumpur where the national flag was shown without the crescent moon, which drew public concern over the handling of national symbols.
— BERNAMA