ABUSE of emblems has been in the news lately and warnings given that action will be taken against anyone abusing or disrespecting them.

That is as it should be, and it should apply to all emblems unless there are gazetted exemptions to their normal use.

National and state flags are also emblems and I am unaware of any exemptions gazetted that allow the flags to be cut up and made into clothing to show the wearer’s patriotism to the country or state.

The mind boggles trying to figure out how the cutting up of the Jalur Gemilang and wearing clothes made out of it an act of patriotism.

The Cambridge English Dictionary defines patriotism as: “the feeling of loving your country more than any others and being proud of it”.

The minister of communications, who is looking into the issue of the abuse/disrespect of emblems, should enlighten the public on the cutting up of the Jalur Gemilang to make clothes and wearing them.

Why is cutting up the national flag not considered to be defiling it?

Why is it patriotic to do so? Has any gazetted exemption been given for the use of the national flag as some colourful cloth for making garments?

If not, will the hype about this form of showing patriotism be stopped and an end put to this culture?

The Jalur Gemilang should be treated with utmost respect, as it is by the armed forces. – July 20, 2020.

* Ravinder Singh reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.