I refer to the statements by several ministers and Mentris Besar on the cool response from the public to fly the national flag. My view is that it is not that the people are disloyal but it is a manifestation of a passive kind of protest against the government and not the country.

If only the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is portrayed more than the political leaders, then the support will definitely increase. This is because the king is viewed as neutral, and 'belonging' to all the citizens of the country, but the premier or any government leaders are viewed as belonging to a particular group.

I'm quite sure the Umno members would regard the leaders in Kelantan and Trengganu in the same way. In fact, in Penang, MCA members do not show any respect for the chief minister, and Gerakan is a member of the Barisan Nasional!

However, in our society, it would be extremely difficult to convince the leaders to forgo all the publicity, as that would affect their livelihood. Just look at how much an organiser has to spend in terms of newspaper ads thanking a VVIP who has just officiated at a function. Are all the huge ads necessary? And not to mention the cenderahati (souvenir) which may cost them a few more thousands of ringgit.

This phenomenon is not confined to politicians. For example, if one were to wait at the EPF counter, one would be entertained to video presentations of EPF's benefits, and they could not resist putting a picture of their chairperson as well. There is a new chairperson now, but the previous fellow's picture is still there, so it's only a matter of time when EPF would have to assign the advertising agency to prepare a new video presentation.

In Selangor, new billboards are sprouting all over with pictures of the new mentri besar (of course, with the PM's as well).

We should all work towards a situation where one can be against the government and yet be loyal to the country. As long as the government maintains its stand that opposition to is to tantamount to treason, then I'm afraid the silent protest will escalate.