YOURSAY ‘When our sportsmen win medals and the national anthem is played, you don't need to tell everyone to stand, it just comes with pride.'

The naive and sentimental Malaysian patriot

Fair and Just: Malaysians should stand when the national anthem is played. But this should be voluntary and not through peer pressure.

Playing the national anthem per se will not instill patriotism. The minister must have lost some of his marbles if he really think that it will. Patriotism is from the heart.

Playing the national anthem at the movies may be a good idea but it has now gone terribly wrong. Imagine hundreds, if not thousands, of moviegoers being fined or jailed. Is this what the minister wants?

RakyatBiasa: We are all patriots in our own way - "We protect our country from its government."

Pisasu 7: When our sportsmen win medals and the national anthem is played, you don't need to tell everyone to stand, it just comes naturally. Why?

Because they represent the nation and its people, not Umno.

MockingYou: Umno Baru-BN is one poor conductor and the members of its orchestra include the likes of Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Hishammuddin Hussein who could only play discordant notes.

However, all is not lost yet as symphonies are still being heard played by ordinary Malaysians. A very good article, S Thayaparan!

Onyourtoes: Another apt quotation for this article should be Samuel Johnson's "Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel."

Oriole: Thank you once again for speaking with clarity and courage. A great article at the right time.

Swipenter: Umno has been hijacking the National Day for its own political agenda for as long as we can remember, so are we celebrating National Day and Malaysia Day come Aug 31 and Sept 16 every year?

We are all loyal citizens of our country but we detest the corrupt and hegemonic Umno that has succeeded in raping our national resources, dividing its people and weakening the very foundations that our country was founded.

How about getting independence from Umno in the 14th general election (GE14)?

SpongeBob: A gravity mingled with the glow of racism by the Umno-led government was imprinted on their countenance, so what patriotism are we discussing about in today's situation?

It is a discussion which has no bearing or can bring any impact to the younger generation. The children in the schools are exposed to segregation and elements of racism at a very young age.

Patriotism today in Malaysia is just hypocrisy. It is a political agenda for BN to stay in power.

Hotsy Totsy: Communication and Multimedia Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek's point on deploying police personnel at cinemas is indeed insane. Police should be doing their rounds and not watching movies free of charge.

AJ: Ninety percent of police personnel are already not doing police work, they might as well watch movies on the taxpayers' account.

ODIN: In Malaysia, you are considered patriotic if you do all of the following.

1) Standing ramrod-straight when the national anthem is played, and preferably singing along at the top of your voice;

2) Flying numerous Malaysian flags outside your house or on your premises and affixing the same to your motorised vehicle or vehicles;

3) Stealing public funds by the thousands, millions and billions;

4) Giving instant citizenship to foreigners of the Islamic faith;

5) Committing any act of treason;

6) Disrespecting any faith other than Islam and their followers; and

7) Bullying and cheating those in the minorities.

Senior: Bringing back the good old days when standing at attention when the national anthem is played was not an issue. Patriotism in this country was skewed when they tried to equate loyalty to BN as patriotic.

Adsertor: Umno believes that patriotism equates to loyalty to the party. They could not be more wrong. Patriotism today is saving Malaysia from Umno and BN.

Fourtan: Thayaparan, I'm of the conviction that there are plenty of good men and women left in Malaysia and they will save our country.

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