Play Negaraku in cinemas
BY OLIVIA LEEKUALA LUMPUR: Movie-goers may have to stand up and sing the national anthem before the start of the film as a mark of respect and appreciate the Negaraku campaign conducted by the Information Ministry.
Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Arshad Hashim said cinemas were being encouraged to play the anthem after all commercials and movie trailers were shown.
“It’s not compulsory. The Government does not want to be regimental about it. But we are encouraging it and hopefully, it will be carried out willingly,” he told reporters after singing Negaraku with Bernama staff in an assembly at their office here yesterday.
Dr Arshad said that playing the national anthem was also encouraged at entertainment centres, before morning assemblies at kindergartens, schools and private institutions of higher learning, and “before baca doa (prayers) at Government offices with piped-in music.”
It was compulsory, however, for Negaraku to be played at government functions and events held by the private sector but attended by government officials, he said.
Last Friday, Information Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir announced that the ministry together with departments and agencies under it would be carrying out various activities to create awareness among the citizens on revering and loving the national anthem.
The campaign, Dr Arshad said, was also to evoke a sense of patriotism and sense of pride in Malaysians.
“We need to acculturate the citizens to always stand at attention and sing along proudly.
“The respect and appreciation for the national anthem is waning and the blame is on us if the future generation can’t sing Negaraku,” he added.
There would be no rigid instructions from the Government but the ministry would be counting on the initiative of the citizens to help this campaign take off as soon as possible, he added.
However, circulars to all companies, organisations and the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers informing them of the campaign would be sent out shortly, Dr Arshad said.
When contacted, Golden Screen Cinemas general manager Irving Hee said:
“When it is done in the right context and environment, it’ll have a positive effect, giving the anthem its due respect. Otherwise, it’ll have its repercussions.
“There are five to six shows a day with so many screens, so I hope it won’t be an overkill situation and belittling the anthem.
“But I need to see the guidelines and look into the logistics, and materials that will be given to us,” Hee added.
TGV Cinemas general manager Chung Shyh Kwong said the company would be “more than pleased to comply with any official government directive and guideline” when it receives them.
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