MELAKA: The Melaka government will adopt a soft approach to encourage business operators to show their patriotism by displaying the Jalur Gemilang during National Month.
State housing and local government, climate change and disaster management committee chairman Datuk Rais Yasin said love for the country must come from the heart, and discouraged the act of punishing those who do not fly the flag with compound notices.
"We will not force it although there is a by-law to issue notices to business operators who don't display the Jalur Gemilang.
"Business operators will be only encouraged to hoist the flag at their premises," he said after attending the Melaka Historic City Council (MBMB) monthly gathering and Jalur Gemilang programme at the council's office in Ayer Keroh here on Wednesday (Aug 16).
The event was also witnessed by MBMB mayor Datuk Shadan Othman.
Rais said all three local councils will be encouraged to give away Jalur Gemilang to the public in their respective jurisdictions.
"We hope to decorate the state with a flurry of Jalur Gemilang and fly the flag with pride and honour," he added.
Separately, he said the plan to turn tourist spot Bandar Hilir into a vehicle-free zone from Fridays to Sundays will undergo a trial run this Saturday (Aug 19).
He said the plan for the 2.4km stretch was first mooted by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh in May but initially received a thumbs-down from traders in the area.
"The road closure is temporary to gauge the effectiveness (of the vehicle-free plan) and we have got the blessing from traders to go ahead with it," he said.
Rais said buggy services will be provided along the stretch during the test run.
"Traders will also be allowed to conduct business along the roadsides as long as they adhere to the guidelines.
"The closure will also allow tourists to appreciate the historical icons at Bandar Hilir without being interrupted by heavy traffic," he said.
The closure of the road will be for six hours, from 6pm to midnight.
On another matter, Rais said the state government has introduced the Hang Tuah and Hang Jebat medals for outstanding local council employees.
"We will start conferring the awards to MBMB staff at first before extending it to the other three local councils," he added.
