The call to fly flags in order to indicate our patriotism is indeed interesting. One has to look at the backdrop of the message to feel how patriotism is being treated in Malaysia.

  • The death of 28-year-old Ho Kwai See while under police custody. No party is held responsible. The case will be closed and hushed up. If a few years ago, the deputy prime minister of Malaysia was assaulted while under police custody, what more now, considering that this person was a mere coconut trader. It took public and international outcry for the government to initiate an investigation.

  • Illegal logging in Pahang, resulting in the destruction of a permanent forest reserve. No explanation will be provided and no party will he held responsible.

  • Constant mismanagement of public funds for personal gains, in the forms of Perwaja Steel, Bakun Dam and the MAS financial scandal. Again, there will be no person or party which will be accountable.

  • Substandard education system at the tertiary level. Wastage of tax-payers funds with substandard computer labs that are being delivered to our children.

  • Traffic police constantly on the lookout for 'duit kopi'.

The very fabric of Malaysia and its society is slowly being torn apart and have allowed to rot. Our children will inherit a shell of a country, a country that is devoid of human values, devoid of any sense of responsibility. In essence, devoid of any sense patriotism.

And we fly our flags high on our Wajas.