Malaysia’s flag phobia: Are we to ban “Captain America” movies and french fries next?
By Jonathan Liew
IN a nation that prides itself as a melting pot of diversity and unity, the recent uproar over a Chinese flag on a rocket replica at a carnival in Johor feels like a surreal overreaction.
It seems like some Malaysians have developed a new level of hypersensitivity that even foreign flags are treated as threats to national dignity.
Next year, Malaysia will host the ASEAN Summit where flags from member countries will be prominently displayed. Will this too be forbidden? Will the government insist on not flying the flags of the 10-member bloc as they are deemed offensive and an affront to national pride? The absurdity is staggering
For starter, China became a dialogue partner of ASEAN in 1991. In 2003, the relationship was elevated to a “strategic partnership” with China appointed an Ambassador to ASEAN in 2012. The current relationship is both broad and deep.
And what about the “Captain America” movie franchise? Will cinemas be forced to pull the plug on Marvel blockbusters simply because ‘America’ is in the title? What next? Rename “french fries” in fast food outlets? And insist that “Indomie” – a proud Indonesian product – that is a popular Malaysian comfort food, be re-branded?
Is the Madani government going to pull the plug on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) news channel? Is the BBC which is funded by the British Government spreading imperialist propaganda?
Football fans, take heed. Those jerseys of your favourite foreign national teams might just be the next target. Will we soon see a public outcry against Malaysian supporters who, for example, buy and wear the England jersey which features the country’s coat-of-arms?
Mind boggling phenomenon
The Johor carnival incident isn’t even an isolated case. Just a few months ago, photos went viral suggesting that Malaysian students in Penang waved Chinese flags during a visit by Chinese naval students.
The uproar turned out to be unfounded; the flags were held by Chinese nationals studying at the school. Yet the outrage was swift and vicious – exposing how easily people jump to conclusions in their quest for controversy.
This paranoia is particularly baffling given how Malaysians are now more favourable towards China.
A recent Merdeka Centre survey found 77% of Malaysians viewed China favourably this year compared with 39% in 2022. Among Malays alone, it jumped from 28% to 73%.
IN a nation that prides itself as a melting pot of diversity and unity, the recent uproar over a Chinese flag on a rocket replica at a carnival in Johor feels like a surreal overreaction.
It seems like some Malaysians have developed a new level of hypersensitivity that even foreign flags are treated as threats to national dignity.
𝐈𝐒𝐔 𝐏𝐄𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐀𝐍 𝐁𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐀 𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐀 𝐃𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐌 𝐊𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐕𝐀𝐋 𝐋𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐔 𝐋𝐄𝐃
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2. Saya menekankan bahawa satu tindakan yang proaktif termasuk membatalkan permit dan penganjuran program tersebut sekiranya benar pihak penganjur tidak mematuhi garis panduan yang ditetapkan oleh pihak Majlis Daerah Tangkak dan pihak keselamatan.....
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Next year, Malaysia will host the ASEAN Summit where flags from member countries will be prominently displayed. Will this too be forbidden? Will the government insist on not flying the flags of the 10-member bloc as they are deemed offensive and an affront to national pride? The absurdity is staggering
For starter, China became a dialogue partner of ASEAN in 1991. In 2003, the relationship was elevated to a “strategic partnership” with China appointed an Ambassador to ASEAN in 2012. The current relationship is both broad and deep.
And what about the “Captain America” movie franchise? Will cinemas be forced to pull the plug on Marvel blockbusters simply because ‘America’ is in the title? What next? Rename “french fries” in fast food outlets? And insist that “Indomie” – a proud Indonesian product – that is a popular Malaysian comfort food, be re-branded?
Is the Madani government going to pull the plug on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) news channel? Is the BBC which is funded by the British Government spreading imperialist propaganda?
Football fans, take heed. Those jerseys of your favourite foreign national teams might just be the next target. Will we soon see a public outcry against Malaysian supporters who, for example, buy and wear the England jersey which features the country’s coat-of-arms?
Mind boggling phenomenon
The Johor carnival incident isn’t even an isolated case. Just a few months ago, photos went viral suggesting that Malaysian students in Penang waved Chinese flags during a visit by Chinese naval students.
The uproar turned out to be unfounded; the flags were held by Chinese nationals studying at the school. Yet the outrage was swift and vicious – exposing how easily people jump to conclusions in their quest for controversy.
This paranoia is particularly baffling given how Malaysians are now more favourable towards China.
A recent Merdeka Centre survey found 77% of Malaysians viewed China favourably this year compared with 39% in 2022. Among Malays alone, it jumped from 28% to 73%.
Captain America is a superhero created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby who appears in American comic books published by Marvel Comics
As China continues to rise as an economic giant, our interactions with Chinese businesses, investments and even culture will inevitably deepen. Do we expect to build ties with a global power while throwing tantrums over flags?
This isn’t about protecting national pride; it’s about manufactured outrage and political posturing. Foreign flags, symbols and cultural exchanges don’t weaken Malaysia – they enrich us. Our multi-ethnic fabric thrives because we have embraced diversity, not stifled it.
If a single flag on a carnival rocket or a group of foreign students holding their national flag can cause such disproportionate reactions, then perhaps the real threat is not foreign influence but our own inability to differentiate between unity and unnecessary fear mongering.
It is time to grow up and focus on what truly matters: building a Malaysia that is confident enough to co-exist with the world, flags and all. – Dec 26, 2024
As China continues to rise as an economic giant, our interactions with Chinese businesses, investments and even culture will inevitably deepen. Do we expect to build ties with a global power while throwing tantrums over flags?
This isn’t about protecting national pride; it’s about manufactured outrage and political posturing. Foreign flags, symbols and cultural exchanges don’t weaken Malaysia – they enrich us. Our multi-ethnic fabric thrives because we have embraced diversity, not stifled it.
If a single flag on a carnival rocket or a group of foreign students holding their national flag can cause such disproportionate reactions, then perhaps the real threat is not foreign influence but our own inability to differentiate between unity and unnecessary fear mongering.
It is time to grow up and focus on what truly matters: building a Malaysia that is confident enough to co-exist with the world, flags and all. – Dec 26, 2024
I am an active member of Amcham, the American Chamber of Commerce Malaysia, a trade organisation that promotes the interests of members, which are mainly American or Malaysian companies that have important business links with USA.
ReplyDeleteOur functions always have Old Glory AND Jalur Gemilang flown side by side, strictly adhering to the official rules and there is never any problems.
Some photos of the controversial events have shown just only the China flag being flown by participants, and that could be a Big No-No.
Maybe it was just camera angle, or maybe the Malaysian flag was photoshopped out., who knows.
Waiting for idiotic comments by the CCP Troll moron here.