Culture, Arts and Tourism Minister Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir expressed 'sadness' that Malaysians are reluctant in flying the Jalur Gemilang.

Despite the many government campaigns, he said that citizens are still not paying heed to the calls to raise the national flag.

"I am very sad, it has been four years since the government changed the Merdeka celebrations concept (to one month from Aug 17 until Sept 16) but many are still reluctant to fly the Jalur Gemilang," he was quoted as saying in a Bernama report today.

"We have committees at state, district and village levels but still many are reluctant to fly the national flag," he added.

He said this reflected the people's lack of patriotism which could ultimately give rise to detrimental consequences.

Patriotism questioned

In May this year, the minister irked the Chinese community when he questioned their loyalty for not being supportive towards the flag-flying drive.

According to him, "more than 90 percent" of the community has been indifferent to the 'Raise the Jalur Gemilang' campaign.

Several Chinese groups took the minister to task over his alleged remarks that the Chinese were 'stupid and stingy' for not participating in the events organised by his ministry.

However, Abdul Kadir denied this, saying that he had referred to the Chinese as being "sparse in showing their patriotism".

In 2001, Selangor Menteri Besar Mohd Khir Toyo toyed with the idea of legislating a state law making it criminal for those failing to raise the flag.