Would Late Songster Sudirman S Flag Costume Constitute Jalur Gemilang Gaffe By Today S Standard

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IN the UK recently, right-wing protestors have taken to flying the Cross of St George as protest against increasing numbers of refugee-seekers arriving at the British isle. Some citizens have claimed they now view the flag as a symbol of intimidation.
Similarly in Malaysia, the issue of upside down Jalur Gemilang continue to hog the headlines with certain politicians hell bent on making it a cause célèbre in the name of patriotism.
This have thus created unease and apprehension to the extent that some businesses are now afraid or reluctant to fly the national flag to commemorate the Merdeka month.
This is how symbols of patriotism are turned into objects that stoke fear instead of foster unity and harmony.
Such a scenario led social policy advocate Azrul Mohd Khalib (@azrulmohdkhalib) to wonder on X if the late icon Sudirman Arshad’s (1954-1992) famous Jalur Gemilang costume would cause similar offence if worn publicly today.

The CEO of the Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy also drew attention to the costume worn by ‘Asia’s Celine Dion’ and Biduanita Negara (National Songstress) Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza in 2002.
Designed by Den Wahab, the dress which had Jalur Gemilang motif was featured as a homage to Sudirman. The poster contended that both artistes would have landed in hot soup if they had worn these costumes today.

The post which has already generated 205.9K views at time of writing elicited plenty of responses from commenters who were keen to give their two sen worth on the hot issue.
Some were just unable to hide their racist tendencies by stereotyping Type Cs as unpatriotic denizens. One even accused the poster of being a bootlicker of the Chinese.

Some commenters’ remarks underline what was driving the narrative – race.

Others ridiculed the poster for using Sudirman’s costume as comparison, highlighting that the late singer’s garb was designed to promote patriotism and was pertinently NOT upside down. After all, he didn’t display it with playful scorn but with pride in place”.

Some commenters highlighted that costumes featuring elements of the Jalur Gemilang are exception, hence permitted. The annual Merdeka-themed contests in schools were also cited as an example of permitted displays of patriotism.

One commenter simply pointed out that it was fortunate that the guidelines for displaying the Jalur Gemilang was NOT strictly enforced. Otherwise, there’d be an extra-long queue to pay fines.

The sad consequence of all this brouhaha is that citizens will be less inclined to fly the Jalur Gemilang due to fear of backlash. Just fly the flag at international events abroad and avoid doing so at home as there too “many losers” argued this commenter.


This is what it means to weaponise a flag. Instead of being a symbol of national pride, unity and inclusivity, it has become a divisive symbol hijacked by right-wingers.

Is this the spirit in which the nation approaches Merdeka celebrations? 

 - Focus Malaysia

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