KUALA LUMPUR, July 13 — Flying the Jalur Gemilang in the lead-up to National Day is not merely symbolic, but a collective call to reignite a sense of pride in being a citizen of a sovereign and independent Malaysia.
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia's (UTM) Nationhood and Social Wellbeing Research Group researcher Associate Professor Mohd Azhar Abd Hamid said the Jalur Gemilang stands as a symbol of sovereignty, unity, and spirit of the nation that needs to be respected and whose meaning should be understood by every Malaysian.
He noted that some segments of society have become indifferent to patriotic gestures, particularly the act of flying the Jalur Gemilang, as they perceive it to be little more than a government-driven campaign to display public support.
"Each shade and colour on the Jalur Gemilang holds historical significance, principles of nationhood and the values of Malaysian life. This is a manifestation of the people's love for independence, a freedom gained through great sacrifice," Azhar told Bernama today.
The decline in patriotic sentiment, especially among the young generation, could be attributed to a lack of historical awareness and a misguided belief that the National Day campaign has little relevance to their daily lives.
Recognising that patriotism cannot be imposed, he said it can be nurtured through relevant and contemporary approaches, including the strategic use of social media, history-based innovation competitions, and active participation by local communities.
The UTM School of Human Resource Development and Psychology senior lecturer said the "1 House 1 Jalur Gemilang" initiative, introduced in conjunction with the 2025 National Day and Malaysia Day (HKHM2025), holds promise as an effective platform to instil patriotic values among the people.
The "1 House 1 Jalur Gemilang" campaign, first introduced during last year’s National Day celebrations, continues this year with the addition of two new clusters — Industry and Government Agencies — bringing the total number of implementation clusters to seven.
Last year, 698 programmes were successfully carried out under the initiative, covering five initial clusters: Education, Higher Education, Health, Security, and Community. The programmes encouraged Malaysians to fly the Jalur Gemilang at homes, offices, business premises, government buildings, and on private vehicles.
Meanwhile, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) political analyst Prof Datuk Sivamurugan Pandian said the campaign could serve as a meaningful catalyst to revive national spirit, provided it is carried out with an inclusive, heartfelt approach that genuinely resonates with the people.
"This campaign is not merely about displaying the national flag, but serves as a starting point for conversations about history, national values, and responsibilities as Malaysians," he said.
The involvement of the education, industry and community sectors makes the message of patriotism more relevant and relatable in people’s daily lives.
This can be strengthened through the use of digital technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) and by cultivating daily practices that shape civic values and social ethics.
"Becoming a citizen who understands, respects and embraces the values of national identity, while upholding good manners and civic-mindedness, is essential. Patriotism must be rooted in the Federal Constitution and guided by the principles of the Rukun Negara," Sivamurugan said.
The theme 'Malaysia Madani: Rakyat Disantuni' remains the official theme for the HKHM2025 celebration, while the Malaysia Madani logo continues to be used as the official logo.
The 2025 National Day celebration will be held at Dataran Putrajaya on August 31, and Malaysia Day will be celebrated in Penang on September 16.
— Bernama
