As we are about to be reminded of the 52 years after we got our Independence from our colonial masters, i am lost for words as what to write.
I decided to post the picture of the flags which was taken at the foot of the Putrajaya International Convention Centre.
The flags are displayed 24 hours a day.Rain or shine.
I know another friend of mine, a retired Jeneral, who writes about the flag in his blog. I did not make any comments there but i thought that i have a different angle as how the flag should be raised.
From my observations, it seems that the flag is only raised once and it stays there forever.
Unlike my basic training of raising the flag and lowering it down before sunset, it is becoming a trend now, that our flags are raised up the flag poles and remains forever up there.
Sometimes the flags remains for 365 days a year, i.e. from one National day to another!!
Sometimes, the colours changed and the shape too changed due to wear and tear..
Is the flag just a decoration?
Is flying the flag 365 days a year day and night a sign of one's utmost loyalty to the nation?
Do we need to physically keep the flag flying?
The flag too needs some rest...
In my military life, we took care of the flag with utmost respect and care.
The flag is raised and lowered every day.
The flag is lowered and kept dry, when it rains.
There is always somebody who is nominated to take care of the flag.
Looking at the way flags are raised now, it seems that once they are up there, then nobody cares about them, come rain or shine!!!!
Can this also be a metaphor at how loyal we are to our country and leaders?
2 comments:
Dear Din OPA,
Thanks for your mention of me. It is unfortunate that most people do not know that flags (in the military it is referred to as the 'ensign') has to be lowered at dusk and raised at dawn. As you have rightly said, the civilians think that by raising the flag all year round, day and night is an indication of the loyalty, more than us I suppose.
OP Azudin,
Perhaps we should find out from the Protocol Division of the PM's Department as what should be the normal practice in the light of the current standard.
Previously the flags were made of materials which succumb to the hot and wet climate, thus making it necessary for it to be treated that way. Now we have all-weather materials in flags, thus less need to do what was practised before.
But a worn out and shredded flag on the poles is a mark of carelessness if not outright insensitivity. I have a flag flying on a sturdy flag pole all the year round, but replace it when it is worn out and faded.
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