KUALA LUMPUR, April 22 — A national audit mechanism should be introduced to assess the level of understanding among individuals and institutions regarding Malaysia’s core national identity, rooted in the Federal Constitution and the Rukun Negara, a scholar from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) has proposed.
Dr Noor Nirwandy Mat Noordin, Psychological Operations Fellow at UiTM’s Centre for Media and Information Warfare Studies, said the proposed “national identity audit” must be conducted periodically to enhance civic awareness and prevent incidents involving the improper display of the Jalur Gemilang, Malaysia’s national flag.
“The algorithm for a national identity audit must be integrated across all social media platforms by government agencies, private entities, and citizens alike,” he told Bernama. “This initiative would help restore informal educational content and reinforce the collective responsibility of all Malaysians in developing a proper understanding of our national identity.”
His remarks came in response to the recent controversy involving the publication of an incomplete Jalur Gemilang illustration by a local Chinese-language newspaper, which sparked national outrage and drew a stern rebuke from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim.
Earlier this month, Sultan Ibrahim expressed his displeasure over the incident, stating that the editorial and management team of the publication should have exercised greater care in reviewing materials before publication. The monarch emphasized that such negligence must not be repeated.
In his commentary, Dr Noor Nirwandy stressed the importance of targeting young Malaysians in national identity audits, noting that they are particularly vulnerable to misinformation and confusion arising from unfiltered exposure to social media and digital platforms.
“Young people are often overwhelmed by the volume of online content, and without structured civic education, they risk losing the ability to discern between factual and misleading information,” he said.
He believes that a consistent auditing process involving all sectors of society—including an emphasis on understanding the symbolism of the Jalur Gemilang—could foster a new culture of national consciousness and patriotism.
“The Malaysian flag is not merely a national symbol,” he said. “It embodies our collective dignity, the sovereignty of our people, and our unity under the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Misusing or misrepresenting it reflects a disregard for national identity.”
In light of the recurring flag mishandling incidents, Dr Noor Nirwandy also suggested the need for legislation to safeguard national symbols from acts that may tarnish their image. He asserted that stronger legal protection would reinforce respect for Malaysia’s identity, especially in a rapidly globalising society.
“Jalur Gemilang is not just a design on cloth—it represents national unity, identity, and security. Every Malaysian, and anyone conducting business in Malaysia, should understand and internalize this,” he added.
The latest incident that reignited the debate occurred on April 15, when Sin Chew Daily printed an illustration of the Jalur Gemilang on its front page to commemorate Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Malaysia. However, the flag depicted was incomplete, missing key elements. The newspaper has since apologised, attributing the error to an unintentional technical oversight.
In a separate but related case, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) issued a notice on April 16 to Kwong Wah Yit Poh, requesting an explanation regarding a Facebook post that similarly featured an incomplete Jalur Gemilang.
Soon after, another controversy surfaced involving the display of a Malaysian flag without the crescent moon at a booth during a baby product exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, further underscoring the urgency of nationwide identity awareness.
These incidents, Dr Noor Nirwandy argued, are symptomatic of a deeper disconnect between citizens and their understanding of national values—something a structured audit could help address.
“National identity must be lived, understood, and respected—not just in theory, but in practice, especially in public representation,” he said.
Credit: https://wilayah.com.my/national-identity-audit-urged-to-prevent-misuse-of-jalur-gemilang-and-reinforce-patriotism/
