KUALA LUMPUR: With two weeks to go before Malaysia commemorates the 65th National Day, the spirit of patriotism is in the air, with the Jalur Gemilang seen flying in several locations around the city centre.
Checks by the New Straits Times Press showed that roadsides, lamp posts, recreational parks, schools, business premises, hospitals, government buildings, as well as office complexes, were decorated with Jalur Gemilang of various sizes.
The mood in certain locations in the city such as Jalan Sentul, Jalan Ipoh, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Jalan Imbi, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan P. Ramlee, Jalan Yap Kwan Seng, Jalan Hang Tuah and Jalan Tun Razak, however, was not as festive as the flags were noticeably absent.
Malaysian Federation of Hawkers and Petty Traders Association president Datuk Seri Rosli Sulaiman said the issue, which involved a handful of business premises being unable to fly the Jalur Gemilang, was because the group was still struggling with
"It is not that they are not patriotic.
"As Malaysians, they are also proud of the nation and eager to celebrate Merdeka.
"However, most of them are still in the recovery phase and cannot afford to have Jalur Gemilang decorations."
Some traders, he claimed, were still navigating the adverse economic impact of the pandemic and could not even pay their business licence fees, much less buy flags.
He proposed that the Federal Territories Ministry, through Kuala Lumpur City Hall, continue its initiative of distributing large flags to traders and hawkers as had been done before the Covid-19 pandemic.
"As far as I can remember, it has been quite a while since such an initiative was done.
"I hope the ministry will revive the initiative to not only encourage but also support traders in hoisting the national flag at their premises.
"Since the economic situation in the country remains uncertain, this initiative will help alleviate the burden of this group and also inject the spirit of patriotism among them," he said.
City Hall Licensing and Business Development Department director Khairul Anuar Mhd Juri declined to comment on
the matter.
Khairul Anuar, nevertheless, said it was not compulsory for business premises to fly the Jalur Gemilang and that they were only encouraged to do so to show their patriotism.
He added that City Hall was also organising the "Fly the Jalur Gemilang" competition from yesterday until Aug 31, which offers prizes to encourage traders to come out with creative ways to decorate their premises.
Source: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2022/08/822632/covid-hit-traders-keen-fly-flags