为何国旗横摆游行倒反？ During march, why placed the national flag upside down when held horizontally?

遵照既定禮儀‧遊行國旗“倒反”美麗誤會

2015-09-01 07:04

（雪蘭莪‧八打靈再也31日訊）針對網民質疑國慶慶典遊行中的國旗倒反一事，大馬國防衛隊總部公共事務主任巴克提亞諾解釋，國旗遊行的禮儀是，國旗綁在旗桿的那一邊（即藍底及6道紅白相間的橫條）永遠先行，飛揚處（14道紅白相間的橫條）則在後。

• 國旗遊行的禮儀是，國旗綁在旗桿上的那一邊（藍底及6道紅白相間的橫條）永遠先行，而且貴賓看到的藍底必須是在上方。（圖：星洲日報）

他說，因此，當國旗遊行的方向是從貴賓台的左到右，從貴賓台處看，國旗的藍底在貴賓眼裡就變成出現在右上方。

“反之，當國旗遊行的方向是從右到左，從貴賓台處看就如同平日所見（藍底在左上方）。”

他也補充，國旗禮儀也要求國旗的藍底在貴賓眼裡必須是在上方，而不能在下方。

“當遊行隊伍經過貴賓台時，隊員就會不同幅度地舉高國旗，讓國旗向貴賓台呈傾斜狀。”

（星洲日報）

来源：http://news.sinchew.com.my/node/441216

On Merdeka wish list, watchdog wants Putrajaya to scrap Sedition Act

Published: 31 August 2014

A human rights watchdog is urging Putrajaya to honour Malaysia’s independence by removing the Sedition Act, which it says is a legacy from the British colonial era.

The Society for the Promotion of Human Rights Malaysia (Proham) chairman Datuk Kuthbul Zaman said the Sedition Act 1948 was used by the colonial administration to stifle the activities of independent fighters.

"Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak should keep his promise and repeal the Sedition Act as it is outdated," he said in a statement today.

He said Najib had already abolished the Internal Security Act 1960 and the Emergency Ordnance 1969.

"The Sedition Act has been recently used frequently to stifle the freedom of speech and it is a violation of democratic principles.

"This is weakening the foundations of human rights in Malaysia. There is a strong suspicion that the Sedition Act is being used against opposition MPs."

Kuthbul said constructive discussions would provide a deeper commitment to the principles of the Federal Constitution.

"Just because an individual raises a question or thought does not mean that the core theme such as religion, language, special position and monarchy will be dismantled."

Kuthbul warned that legitimate questions and criticism on politicians and political parties should not be deemed seditious.

"This is part of the democratic and political process and these leaders must use the public space to convince the general public.

"Holding leaders accountable is part and parcel of holding public office in a democracy."

Last week saw a number of opposition lawmakers charged under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act, which provides for a jail term of up to three years or RM5,000 fine or both.

They are: PKR vice-presidents Rafizi Ramli and N. Surendran, Shah Alam MP and PAS central committee member Khalid Samad, and DAP Seri Delima assemblyman R. S. N. Rayer.

DAP Seputeh MP Teresa Kok and PKR Batu MP Tian Chua are also facing trial for sedition, while former Perak MP and Changkat Jering assemblyman Nizar Jamaluddin was charged with criminal defamation for a statement he had allegedly made two years ago.

Critics are calling the move an attempt by Putrajaya to silence its political foes. – August 31, 2014.

Source: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/in-merdeka-wishlist-watchdog-wants-putrajaya-to-scrap-sedition-act

Controversial 55th Merdeka Day Celebration for Barisan Nasional only

Merdeka Day bash at Bukit Jalil Stadium a set-back for nation-building by 55 years when Malaysian public excluded from the 100,000-seat capacity stadium which is reserved for “BN invites” only

Last night, in response to the Malaysiakini report “Bukit Jalil Merdeka Day bash for invites only”, I penned five tweets, viz:

1. Scandalous! Outrageous! What Merdeka D bash is this? http://goo.gl/H1IpV Bukit Jalil Merdeka Day bash is invite only- Sara Ghazie(Mkini)
2. “Got like that one meh?” exclamation will be heard throughout country when Malaysians read “Bukit Jalil Merdeka Day bash is invite only”
3. No better proof of BN hijacking Merdeka Day celebrations – 1st BN election slogan of “Janji Ditepati” n now 100k Stadium largely BN invites
4. With MerdekaDay bash BtJalil Stadium hijacked by BN pumped up by rent-MerdekaDay-crowds, all pretence of 1Malaysia inclusive thrown 2winds
5. What irony 4Najib’s 1Msia signature slogan! “Bukit Jalil Merdeka Day bash is invite only” has set back nation-building in Msia by 55 years!

This morning, the Minister for Information, Communications and Culture, Datuk Seri Dr. Rais Yatim “clarified” that the official Merdeka Day celebration at Bukit Jallil Stadium on Friday is opened to the public, saying:

“The allegation made by certain people that the Merdeka 55 gathering at Bukit Jalil will be only for invitees is not true.

“It is deplorable for certain opposition leader to try to foil what is to be the rakyat’s right to commemorate nation’s 55th birthday.”

Rais need not be so coy as he could name me as the one who had responded to the Malaysiakini report on the Malaysian twitterverse.

If I am wrong or mistaken, I am prepared to retract and apologise as I have no intention to spoil, foil or sabotage the Merdeka Day bash planned by the Barisan Nasional government at Bukit Jalil Stadium, although I strongly disagree with the manner in which the Barisan Nasional is hijacking the 55th Merdeka Day/49th Malaysia Day celebrations, causing even greater division and dissension among Malaysians instead of sparking a transcending sense of Malaysian one-ness rising above race, religion, region or political affiliation in keeping with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s 1Malaysia policy on both these national celebrations.

However, as a result of Rais’ comments, I have revisited the Malaysiakini report last night as well as my five tweets to ascertain whether I have inadvertently made any mistakes or whether the Malaysiakini report had erred. But I have found neither.

There is no denial or retraction of the statement attributed to the Information, Communications and Culture Ministry secretary-general Kamaruddin Siaraf that members of the public could only witness the 55th Merdeka Day “bash” from four screens outside the Bukit Jalil stadium.

This has been further confirmed by the seating arrangement released by Kamaruddin yesterday where only VIPs, BN component party members, civil servants, schoolchildren and other specially-picked groups – including two minor BN-friendly political parties, Indian Progressive Front (IPF) and Malaysian Indian Muslim Congress (Kimma) – have been allocated seats in the 100,000-seat capacity stadium.

The Malaysiakini report last night stated that Kamaruddin, when asked why opposition parties were not included in the seating plan, said that “opposition party members could join the rest of the crowd outside the stadium”.

He said dismissively: “They can come on the ‘tiket rakyat (people’s ticket)’ No problem.”

After reviewing the Malaysiakini reports last night and Rais’ comments today, I stand by my five tweets last night that the Merdeka Day bash at Bukit Jalil Stadium is scandalous, outrageous and a set-back for nation-building by 55 years when Malaysian public are excluded from the 100,000-seat capacity stadium which is reserved for “BN invites” only.

Clearly the Najib administration has never heard or understood the statement “The People Are the Boss” in a parliamentary democracy.

How much would the Merdeka Day bash at Bukit Jalil Stadium cost? Would Barisan Nasional pay for the bash from the BN coffers?

As the Malaysian taxpayers will have to pay for the Merdeka Day bash at Bukit Jalil Stadium, how can the Malaysian public be treated as “outsiders”, relegated to outside the stadium to watch from four screens? They might as well stay at home to watch the live telecast instead!

Source: http://blog.limkitsiang.com/2012/08/28/merdeka-day-bash-at-bukit-jalil-stadium-a-set-back-for-nation-building-by-55-years-when-malaysian-public-excluded-from-the-100000-seat-capacity-stadium-which-is-reserved-for-bn-invites/#more-20186

IGP’s ‘yellow’ caution won’t cow Bersih

K Pragalath

 | August 10, 2012

The police chief says that the Merdeka Day celebrations should not be politicised, but A Samad Said argues that the colour yellow is not banned.

FULL REPORT

PETALING JAYA: Electoral watchdog Bersih will not be discouraged by Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar’s caution not to don yellow at the Merdeka Day countdown celebrations.

Speaking to FMT, Bersih co-chairperson and national laureate A Samad Said stressed that the colour yellow was not banned and the people had the right to wear colours of their choice.

He also said that Ismail had made the wrong assumption that Bersih was politically inclined, saying that the movement was championing free and fair elections.

“The IGP’s statement is wrong because Bersih assists politicians,” he added.

Meanwhile, Bersih steering committee member Maria Chin Abdullah said the police chief should not be issuing threats.

“We are not politicising the matter [Merdeka Day] celebrations,” she added.

This morning, Ismail had cautioned those planning to wear yellow on that day not to turn the celebrations into a political event.

Bersih steering committee member Wong Chin Huat, who would be attending the gathering in his individual capacity, was shocked with the IGP’s statement.

“I am shocked at the level of the IGP’s common sense. National Day is the most political day in the country. Take out politics and what do you have?” he asked.

He also queried the actions that the police would take.

“Are you going to strip those who are wearing yellow?” he asked, adding that he was prepared to be arrested for ushering the Merdeka celebrations in yellow.

Warga Aman, which was one of the participating NGOs in the event, said the Bersih yellow T-shirt was similar to a uniform.

“The Bersih shirt to us is similar to the uniforms used by the police and military during the Merdeka Day parade. It is to say that we are with Bersih,” said Warga Aman’s secretary general S Barathidasan.

Source: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2012/08/10/igps-yellow-caution-wont-cow-bersih/

Bersih counters with own Merdeka theme

K Pragalath

 | August 9, 2012

Bersih 3.0 co-chairman, A Samad Said, said its Merdeka gathering is for Malaysians who want free and fair elections.

KUALA LUMPUR: Election watch dog Bersih 2.0 has joined this year’s 55th Merdeka celebrations with a Merdeka countdown gathering themed, “Bersih’s Promise”.

“We have heard ‘many promises’ for the celebrations, but we do know that Malaysians want free and fair elections,” National Laureate A Samad Said told a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall here today on behalf of 26 civil society organisations.

The term “many promises” refers to Barisan Nasional’s Merdeka theme, “Promises Fulfilled”.

“To celebrate our theme, Bersih’s Promise, we invite all Malaysians to gather at the Dataran Merdeka fountain on Aug 30 at 10pm in yellow,” said Samad.

He added that the event was being held to tell the public Bersih’s eight demands for electoral reform.

“Bersih is now in an unclear position as it is disturbed by the government. We need to grow and inform the public,” said Samad.

Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) chief Badrulamin Shaharin, otherwise known as Chegu Bard, said the celebration is vital because it was time to counter the government’s “Promises Fulfilled” theme.

“They claim promises fulfilled but they never fulfilled promises for free and fair elections,” said Chegu Bard.

He also dismissed the necessity to apply for a permit for a gathering.

‘It’s not a demonstration’

Elaborating further, Bersih steering committee member Maria Chin Abdullah reminded all that the gathering is a celebration.

“It is just a celebration with fellow Malaysians, not a demonstrations.” said Maria in hwe capacity as Empower Malaysia executive director.

She was also asked to comment on Election Commission’s statement last month that the eight demands have been met.

Among Bersih’s eight demands are electoral roll clean-up, equal media access, air time for all political parties and usage of indelible ink.

“We don’t know whether advanced voters who would be marked and who would vote three days ahead would be able to vote again.

“We need air time to allow candidates to say what they can do for the nation, not read out manifestos.”

Meanwhile, social activist Hishammuddin Rais described the gathering as an opportunity for the people to reclaim the right to celebrate Merdeka.

“We are reclaiming the people’s right to celebrate with the theme [Bersih's Promise] and yellow colour.”

A total of 26 organisations has endorsed this countdown event.

Among them are SAMM and National Ex- Army Veterans Welfare Network (Kerabat).

Source: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2012/08/09/bersih-counters-with-own-merdeka-theme/

Barisan Nasional hijacked National Day as their own Political Campaign

The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak is doing the greatest disservice to national unity and 55-year Malaysian nation-building by insisting that the Barisan Nasional 13th General Election campaign theme of “Janji Ditepati” (Promises Fulfilled) is adopted as this year’s theme for National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations.

National Day and Malaysia Day should be national occasions where Malaysians, regardless of race, religion, region, class, gender, age and most important of all, political beliefs and affiliations, can come together as Malaysians first and last to celebrate the attainment of Merdeka on August 31, 1957 and the formation of Malaysia on Sept. 16, 1963.

However, when the National Day and Malaysia Day theme this year is the blatant and partisan Barisan Nasional 13GE campaign theme of “Janji Ditepati”, whose dissemination had been spearheaded by the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, in a highly politicized tour dubbed “Jelajah Janji Ditepati” all over the country in the past few months, the Barisan Nasional government is deliberately provoking instead of avoiding a national division among Malaysians based on their political beliefs and affiliations on these two national occasions.

The question that must be asked is – Who is being petty-minded and even being anti-national?

Is the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, as well as the Barisan Nasional component parties so desperate about getting electoral support in the next general election that they cannot afford to allow National Day and Malaysia Day to be celebrated by all Malaysians without bringing in party politics or partisan political differences?

In fact, if Najib and the Cabinet are serious about the 1Malaysia policy to create “a nation where every Malaysian perceives himself or herself as Malaysian first, and by race, religion, geographical region or socio-economic background second and where the principles of 1Malaysia are woven into the economic, political and social fabric of society” (1Malaysia Government Transformation Programme – The Roadmap), they would have ensured that at least on National Day and Malaysia Day all forms of political party slogans would have been put aside to allow all Malaysians to celebrate these two national occasions as Malaysians, regardless of whether they are Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat.

Pakatan Rakyat component parties are prepared to put aside all its slogans on National Day and Malaysia Day, but clearly UMNO and Barisan Nasional are not prepared to make such an important national gesture.

I do not know whether Muhyiddin, who have declared that he is “Malay first, Malaysian second” would have agreed that at least on these two days of National Day and Malaysia Day all be Malaysians first, but it is most inexcusable, unforgivable and anti-national when Barisan Nasional leaders failed to rise to the national occasion by insisting that UMNO/BN campaign theme of “Janji Ditepati” becomes the National Day and Malaysia Day theme despite causing division, discord and disunity among Malaysians.

This is a classic example where those-in-power are unable to see the important distinction between the nation and parties-in-power or among the government, political parties and private personal interests.

It is the failure to make the important distinction between the nation and the parties-in-power , or among the government, political parties and personal interests that is the real cause of the overwhelming misgovernance in the country, whether gross abuses of power, massive corruption or rampant cronyism.

The “Janji Ditepati” theme for this year’s National Day and Malaysia Day stands as a powerful reminder to Malaysians why there must be change in Malaysia particularly in the 13GE – where the important distinction between the nation and the political parties in power, and among the government, political parties and personal interests are scrupulously observed and upheld if Malaysia is to start a new chapter of national life where promises of the government to serve the people and nation are to be truly fulfilled.

From now to Malaysia Day on Sept. 16, let the “Janji Ditepati” slogan all over the country be a constant reminder to all Malaysians that they must stand united to demand for change in the 13th general election if they want the promises of democracy, justice, progress, clean and honest governance in Malaysia to be fulfilled!

Source: http://blog.limkitsiang.com/2012/07/17/najib-doing-the-greatest-disservice-to-national-unity-and-55-year-malaysian-nation-building-by-insisting-that-the-barisan-nasional-13ge-campaign-theme-of-janji-ditepati-is-adopted-a/#more-19664