Jalur Gemilang few and far in between as flag fracas, tough times dampen Merdeka spirit

With less than 24 hours to go before Malaysia celebrates Merdeka Day, an occasion normally marked by parades and displays of patriotism by civil servants, schoolchildren and businesses alike, a conspicuous absence of the national flag from homes and private buildings has set this year's celebration apart before it even begins.

Checks by MalaysiaNow in Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya and surrounding towns and business districts show that premises hoisting the Jalur Gemilang are scarce, with owners and residents akcnowledging that the flag fever usually seen throughout the month of August and September has been missing this year.

Even in Putrajaya, where the official parade is being held for the third consecutive year, the national flags are mostly in public and government buildings, not private premises or residential neighbourhoods.

The Jalur Gemilang, Malaysia's red and white striped national flag, has been the centre of a fractious culture war in recent months, with politicians on both sides of the divide trying to outdo each other in a competition over patriotism which critics say is all symbolism and no substance.

Viral pictures of improper displays of the flag, whether hoisted physically or posted on social media, had led to witchhunts and almost vigilante-like protests led by politicians.

Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh, who last year orchestrated protests outside KK Mart outlets after accusing the retail chain of blashphemy for carrying socks bearing the word Allah, similarly led recent gatherings urging the authorities to punish those whom he accused of intentionally disrespecting the national flag.

On Aug 14, he brought hundreds of Umno supporters to gather outside a shop in Penang, in what vocal rights group Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) condemned as an act of bullying to score political points.

LFL, which maintained that shopowners cannot be blamed for unintended mistake in flag displays, had challenged Akmal to a debate during the protest. The Umno man however left the scene after his supporters threatened LFL lawyers who came with their own placards mocking Akmal.

Akmal's campaign for the authorities prosecute "flag offenders" has been seen as Umno's way of regaining Malay support, following a widescale rejection of the party in the last general election.

While such calls convinced a Bersatu Youth leader to join the protest, veteran Malay rights activist Ibrahim Ali dismissed Umno's campaign as a cheap stunt.

Meanwhile, former minister Rafizi Ramli warned that such protests would only stoke fears and discourage the public from displaying the flag as any mistakes could land them in trouble.

Many reasons for 'flagless' Merdeka

A food stall owner in Ukay Perdana said there could be many other reasons for the lack of Jalur Gemilangs this Merdeka Day.

"I don't know whether it's out of fear. Perhaps the feeling of patriotism has faded, or people have become indifferent, or they are actually angry with the government," Diya told MalaysiaNow when asked why her outlet, like other nearby businesses, was not flying the Jalur Gemilang for Merdeka.

The Jalur Gemilang has occasionally been used for political expressions, as seen more than two decades ago when the government of Dr Mahathir Mohamad launched an intense flag waving campaign to whip up public anger over US vice-president Al Gore's open endorsement for then opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim at the 1998 Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation Forum summit in Kuala Lumpur.

For trader Emy, 43, the lack of flags this year could be a reflection of public anger against Anwar's government.

"Maybe it has got to do with 'Turun Anwar'," she said, referring to the rally last month demanding the prime minister's resignation.

But Emy added that the flag was the nation's symbol and should not be tied to the performance of government leaders.

Meanwhile, many traders met by MalaysiaNow in the heart of the capital city said the absence of flags this year was due to the economic hardships faced by the people under the present government.

"People are out of business. It's very sad. Everyone is struggling.

"Before this, it was another government. This government, what is there to say? They are only loud in Parliament, they don't take care of the people," said carpet seller Hassan Omar.

He said his shop had seen very few customers, attributing the slow footfall to financial constraints brought on by taxes.

"Now there are all sorts of taxes. This is taxed, that is taxed. If we don't pay, they force us to. It's not like before. We used to be happy but this year, everyone is sad.

"In Parliament, I see everyone fighting with each other. They don't care about the people, they don't do any real work.

"They have bodyguards but it's fine if the people are dying. I have no interest in voting for them," said the 68-year old, a voter from Segambut and a father of 10 who has been trading for more than 40 years in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.

Another businessman in the same area, Ramli, 47, said in the past, city authorities would distribute free flags to shop owners.

"Maybe there is no budget this year," said Ramli, who is renting a space with Kuala Lumpur City Hall.

Kamarudin Yahya, 62, who sells traditional clothes, agreed there was less excitement for Merdeka this year.

"Malaysians themselves feel like the economy is becoming worse, which has affected our enthusiasm."

He added that the current government was seen as indifferent to sentiments on the ground, including the public anger surrounding the death of Sabah student Zara Qairina Mahathir, which triggered widescale protests calling for Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek's resignation.