LETTER| Don't be 'kurang ajar' (ill-mannered) towards the national anthem.

The issue surrounding some Malaysians not standing up in attention when our beloved nation's national anthem, Negaraku, was sung has drawn various criticisms for and against.

Some even say it is a freedom of expression!

Let us think, act and feel Malaysian. Our hundreds of years of struggles and successes cannot be dismissed for these pains, sacrifices and hopes that made Malaysia today.

Whatever your grouse, whatever your point of contention is, the Negaraku is sacred to our nation.

Our ethnic cultures would deem the act of not respecting the national anthem as kurang ajar.

The national flag and national anthem is what makes Malaysia and us, Malaysians.

Let us grow up. Let us ensure that this is the last time such incidents happen.

We, the senior citizens can relate with the sentiment, honour and pride of the national anthem and the country's flag.

We knew what it was like during the British rule, the communist infiltration and the Japanese presence in the early days.

The pain, agony and torture of having to salute to a foreign nation's flag has taught us the significance, pride and honour of our own national anthem and flag.

Period. 

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.