It S Free Just Wear It Pm Says Over National Flag Badges On School Uniforms

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Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has urged all parties not to create a polemic over the government's latest directive to require students to don national flag badges on their school uniforms.
Anwar said the decision, which will be effective April 21, was discussed thoroughly.
“What’s so hard? The badge is given for free. Just put it on,” Anwar told reporters after performing his Friday prayers at the Masjid Jamek Raja Tun Uda in Shah Alam today.
“Many neighbouring countries have been practicing this for a long time. We’ve thought about it and discussed it, (and we decided to) just do it so that children are taught from an early age to love the nation. That’s all.
“I don’t think this issue has to be a long-running polemic,” he added.
According to the prime minister, the proposal by the Education Ministry had actually been delayed for a long time.
“I made a decision, and the cabinet agreed (for the proposal) to be implemented immediately, with the badges to be given for free,” he added.
Anwar said this in response to remarks by certain quarters who have questioned how the tender process behind the badges’ supply will be conducted.
Yesterday, MCA Education Consultative Committee deputy chairperson Felicia Wong Yin Ting urged the Education Ministry to disclose the names of the companies awarded contracts for the production of the badges.
Disclose tender process
She added that Putrajaya has a duty to prove that all government contracts go through a proper process and governance free from cronyism, nepotism or direct negotiation practices.
Wong also suggested that schools be given the autonomy to purchase the Jalur Gemilang badges from authorised suppliers who meet the specifications established by the ministry.

In a circular issued on March 26, the Education Ministry said the guidelines for wearing the badges is applicable to all government schools, government-aided schools, matriculation colleges, and Institutes of Teacher Education (IPG), while other educational institutions are encouraged to adopt the practice.
The ministry will also provide two badges for free to all students of the 2025/2026 academic year. - Mkini

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