A Malaysian father has garnered widespread attention for instilling patriotic values in his two sons, emphasizing respect for the national flag badge and the importance of using the Malay language in daily interactions.
His approach has been lauded by netizens and even received a personal note of appreciation from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
‘Do not dirty the badge’
In a Facebook post, the father affectionately referred to his sons as Malaysia’s beloved cartoon twins “Upin & Ipin.”
He outlined a set of guidelines regarding the wearing of the national flag badge on their school uniforms.
Do not dirty the badge or throw your clothes or the badge on the ground,” he instructed.
Prioritise speaking Malay
He further emphasized the significance of the badge as more than just a decorative item.
“When wearing the Jalur Gemilang badge, you must prioritize speaking in Malay. After class, when going to the canteen to buy food, even when meeting Chinese aunties and uncles, you must speak in Malay. Even in a Chinese school, greet your friends in Malay,” he advised.
To reinforce this practice, Ng implemented a rule: if his sons’ proficiency in Malay declined or showed no improvement, he would confiscate their flag badges.
He explained that if teachers inquired about the missing badges, his sons were to respond, “Because our Malay is not good, Dad took it away.”
He even expressed willingness to discuss the matter with the school principal if necessary.
Ng clarified that wearing the national flag badge is not merely symbolic. “You need to understand the wisdom and responsibility of being a national school student,” he stated.
Received praise from Anwar
The post resonated with many, amassing over 10,000 likes and drawing praise from various communities for Ng’s approach to patriotic education.
Among the commenters was Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who wrote,
Thank you for sowing the seeds of love for the country.”
In response, Ng wrote: “Thank you, Datuk Seri, for giving the children the national flag badges to wear on their school uniforms. We will cherish them.”
This heartwarming exchange underscores the impact of parental guidance in fostering national pride and unity among Malaysia’s younger generation.
