KUCHING: Do not disrespect the national anthem Negaraku by proposing to replace it as if it was an entertainment song chart, said Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
“Changing a national anthem (among countries) is very rare. When we have something sacred like that which has been agreed upon when forming a nation, we should maintain it.
“We don’t just change it like how a song is ranked in the Top 40 of the Billboard Charts.
“Don’t just change because of politics, the respect towards the national anthem Negaraku is at stake,” he told reporters after officiating at the third launch of What About Kuching (WAK) 2019 and sixth Borneo International Beads Conference at the Old Court House here, yesterday.
He said this in response to Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan’s recent call for a new national anthem to replace Negaraku.
On Wednesday, Voon had claimed that the country’s current national anthem lacks originality where its tune was said to be originally from La Rosalie written by a French musician, Pierre-Jean de Beranger.
“There is also a Chinese song with the same name too,” he stated.
Voon also mentioned that the people of Sabah and Sarawak have begun to doubt their sense of belonging and pride due to the unequal treatment by the federal government.
When asked to comment on the call, Abdul Karim responded that there was no problem with Negaraku being Malaysia’s national anthem.
“We have been taught by our parents, teachers in our primary and secondary schools, as well as in our civic classes to respect the Negaraku as our national anthem.
“When the national anthem is being played, the rakyat (people) stand to acknowledge the song which symbolises their respect for it. There is no two-way about it.
“Who are they (who Voon claimed begin to lose the sense of patriotism)? Is it really the rakyat or just them (PBK)?” he questioned.
He further stated, “If we are going to do like that, Voon can form a country of his own and change the national anthem similar to how they do it in the Top 40 or Billboard Charts.
“Which song tops the chart can become the national anthem,” he continued in sarcasm.
He added that the national anthem should not be ridiculed and the fact remains that during the formation of Malaysia, all the states agreed for the song to be the national anthem.
“If every state wants its own national song, mati-lah (comparing the situation to doomsday),” he said.
On the unequal treatment to Sabah and Sarawak which has caused the people to become less patriotic, he said it was just a matter of one’s opinion.
“We cannot mix politics with the respect towards the national anthem and flag. If we are not showing respect towards the national anthem and flag, that is a sign of disrespect and disloyalty and it should not happen at all.
“If we feel like we are being treated unfairly and not given our rights, that is politics. “Show your displeasure during elections, not by refusing to stand up when the national anthem is being played or not respecting the flag when it’s being hoisted.
“That is two different matters altogether. These people must be mature enough to look at it from that angle,” he said.
