Cinema goers are usually treated to trailers of coming attractions and beer advertisements before the start of a movie. But don't drop the popcorn in surprise when you hear the national anthem being played soon.

In a move to honour the national anthem and arrest the declining respect for it, the Information Ministry is planning to get cinemas nationwide to play the Negaraku.

Ministry secretary-general Dr Arshad Hashim said respect for the Negaraku had waned among Malaysians, particularly among the younger generation.

"This is not something new. In the past, cinemas used to play the national anthem before the start of a movie and we want to revive this," he was quoted as saying in a Bernama report today.

He said this at a gathering to instill love and affection for the Negaraku for staff of the Information Department and Bernama at Wisma Bernama in Kuala Lumpur.

No respect

Arshad also expressed regret over the attitude of some Malaysians who did not respect the national anthem when it was played and there were also school children who failed to memorise the lyrics.

Even in sporting events, albeit at the national or international levels, he said there were also athletes who did not even sing the national anthem when it was played.

Besides government events, he said, the government would make it compulsory for the private sector to play the Negaraku at official functions involving government leaders.

The ministry, as the campaign organiser, would also ask all kindergartens, schools and institutions of higher learning to play the national anthem during their gatherings.

"We can't take it for granted. The government must implement a specil programme to imbue the culture in our society," said Arshad.