PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasised that requiring students to wear the Jalur Gemilang badge, starting April 21, aims to foster patriotism and should not be turned into a prolonged issue.
However, it has been seen as a less-than-positive thing among social media users, as they feel this may not improve upon anything.
Recently, the Prime Minister added that these pins are “free”, which made many social media users unhappy. They said that these things are produced at a cost, probably done by a local company which would then need to be paid for their job.
The payment for the job would come from the taxpayers, stated an X user. The user then asked if the manufacturer of such pins is doing this for charity or if they are getting government contracts to produce them.
Waahhhh sedap jaa cakap “it’s free”..
Hoiiiii mau buat tu pakai tax payers punya duit laa..
Siapa punya company yg buat charity kasi free jaa tuuu!!!!!! https://t.co/rlytrucoHt— ar.neLLia 🎯 (@ArnelliaMatiu) March 28, 2025
Furthermore, another user asked if those in the government are sacrificing their salaries to pay for these pins. Similarly, if it comes out from the public’s fund, then it is not exactly “free”.
Are all the leeches in parliament donating one year salary to fund this free badge or what? Because if it’s coming out of public coffers, then it’s not “free” as you so eloquently put it.
— Siv (@LocoCoco80) March 28, 2025
Social media users are unhappy with how such situations are addressed. They feel such a response was done with a condescending tone. An X user added that the public will remember such tonations used during the next general elections.
The way our PM and Minister of Economy addresses the rakyat’s actual concern are so condescending.
Maybe next election remember the tone you’ve been so consistent on when begging for votes.
AFAIK there’s cost of production, logistics etc. who’s paying for this? Bukan taxpayers? https://t.co/vs3ILnZy3y
— PulutTaiTai 🥨 (@ApamGulaMelaka) March 28, 2025
Others add that if the current administration were on the opposing side, they would probably complain about such ideas being proposed. — March 29, 2025
Masa dia pembangkang, konfem dia dan geng akan paling bising pasal tender dan keperluan lencana ni.
Mai jadi GOTD, terus macam diktator semuanya jadi wajib. https://t.co/whDDhYPeDP
— The Fighter 🇲🇾 (@Xanxus295) March 28, 2025
Main photo credit: Reuters
