Malaysians are urged to use images of the national flag responsibly to preserve its dignity and avoid public misunderstanding.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians are urged to use images of the Jalur Gemilang responsibly and with due sensitivity to preserve the dignity and respect of the national flag.
Deputy Director of the Communication Services and Community Development Division at the Department of Information Malaysia (JAPEN), Faizal Adanan, said the public should be mindful when displaying the Jalur Gemilang, including on social media, to avoid causing confusion or diminishing respect for the national symbol.
He noted that while certain camera functions, such as the front-facing camera used for selfies, may automatically mirror images and make the flag appear reversed, users should ensure it is displayed in the correct orientation before sharing it publicly.
“The issue arises when the flag is intentionally displayed upside down. If someone knows it is incorrect but proceeds to do so, that becomes a problem.
Such actions can lead to misunderstandings, provoke public anger, and offend many people, as the Jalur Gemilang is a symbol of the nation’s sovereignty and dignity,” he said during an interview with Bernama Radio today on the launch of the National Month celebration and the Fly the Jalur Gemilang campaign.
Faizal said the National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations belong to all Malaysians, regardless of race, religion or political affiliation, and encouraged every citizen to fly the national flag as an expression of patriotism.
Commenting on the 2026 National Day and Malaysia Day (HKHM) celebrations, he said the theme, “Malaysia MADANI: Kesejahteraan Dinikmati”, reflects the government’s continued commitment to improving people’s well-being and strengthening the national economy.
He noted that Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil had announced on June 26 that the Malaysia MADANI logo would be retained for this year’s celebrations.
“The logo and theme reflect the current administration’s aspirations. Continuity is important so that the public can clearly understand the direction and goals we are striving to achieve,” he said.
Faizal added that the launch of the 2026 National Month celebration and the Fly the Jalur Gemilang campaign, scheduled for July 19 at the Sultan Azlan Shah Ministry of Health Training Institute in Ipoh, Perak, will feature a range of performances, including drum ensemble and choir presentations, as well as the unveiling of the official 2026 HKHM theme song.
“We will be introducing a new theme song for the 2026 National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations. As for the singer and the title, the public will have to wait for the surprise announcement on July 19,” he said.
The public is encouraged to watch the launch ceremony live on Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), the official social media platforms of the Ministry of Communications and JAPEN, as well as the Merdeka360 portal.
