EVERY Malaysian is taught from young to respect the national anthem “Negaraku” and sing it with pride. 

The anthem emphasises loyalty and unity for national progress, and serves to raise patriotism and love for the homeland. 

However, this year, days before the Merdeka Day celebration, an inappropriate incident had taken place, where the national anthem was insulted. 

This controversial incident took place at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium prior to a football match, when the Ultras Selangor fan club, known as UltraSel, hoisted a tifo that included the Palestinian flag when the national anthem was played. 

Bearing the phrase “No Surrender”, the tifo featured images of Palestine, Selangor footballer Faisal Halim, who is a recent acid-attack victim, coach Nizam Jamil, and the acronym “AZAB”, which carries the meaning “All Zionist Are Bastards”. 

It is commendable of Malaysia to stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine. It is never wrong of Malaysians to show their support for the struggles and plight of the Palestinian people, who continuously face brutal aggression and atrocities from the Zionist regime. 

However, going a step further to raise an “alien” flag while Negaraku is played at the national stadium in a huge event watched by millions is an insult to the nation as well as the king. 

The tifo had no resemblance to anything related to the Jalur Gemilang, the king or the spirit of Malaysia. 

The original video of the incident was uploaded on TikTok by user @sukanzcom.

Despite the clear and obvious show of disrespect to the nation by hoisting a foreign flag when the national anthem was played, the authorities have remained silent over the incident. 

Imagine the situation being reversed, where an Israeli flag had been raised instead. Would that be excused by the authorities? 

Over the past year, we have seen two individuals face the music for their association with the Israeli flag.

In December 2023, a man from Marang, Terengganu was sentenced to six months in prison and fined RM500 for displaying the Israeli flag. 

The accused was alleged to have committed the act at a vehicle accessories shop in Kampung Padang Lebam, Bukit Payung on October 19, 2023. 

According to the charge, the man was accused of displaying the Israeli flag in a public place, breaching the National Emblems (Control of Display) Act 1949.

Section 3(1) of the act states that no person shall display in public, or at, or within any school, any national emblem.

The offence is punishable under Section 8(1)(i) of the same law, which provides for a maximum six months in prison, a fine of up to RM500, or both, upon conviction.

However, Section 5 states that the minister in charge may provide exemptions to the rules in Section 3 for the display of any national emblem through a gazette or written permit.

Was there a permit given to hoist a Palestinian flag during the national anthem at Stadium Bukit Jalil? 

In June this year, a part-time worker at a car rental company was fined RM100 by the magistrates’ court after pleading guilty to placing Israeli flag stickers at a fast food restaurant.

He was charged under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955, which carries a maximum fine of RM100.

If these individuals were fined for flying and placing Israeli flags in public places, what is the excuse for a foreign flag being hoisted during the national anthem? 

This is not about solidarity with the Palestinians. This just shows the pure ignorance of some Malaysians. 

Any individual who knowingly shows disrespect towards Negaraku in any public place may face action under Section 8(3) of the National Anthem Act 1968 and if convicted, may face up to a RM100 fine or up to one month imprisonment.  

Even failing to stand to attention while the national anthem is playing without sufficient cause can be penalised under Section 8(4)(a) of the act. 

Despite the markers in the law, this incident has gone unpunished by the authorities. 

While we wish Palestinians are freed from the cruel Zionist regime, it should not come at the cost of disrespecting our own country. – September 3, 2024.