Earlier on, the Ministry of National Unity made it compulsory for students to wear the Jalur Gemilang badge, and this includes all school staff too.
National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said the move is a good way to help kids start building patriotism and love for the country from a young age.
Parents are worried about the risks of the pin badges
In response to this, the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) is calling on the government to take a more considerate approach in implementing this initiative, as it shouldn’t become a source of concern for parents.
Felicia Wong Yin Ting, Deputy Chair of MCA’s Education Consultative Committee, said while the government’s move to distribute the Jalur Gemilang badges is a good effort to boost patriotism, safety should come first, as many parents have raised concerns about the sharp pins.
“It’s worrying that just days after the badges were handed out, parents are already posting on social media about how the sharp pins could injure their kids,” she said.
Felicia wong yin ting
MCA suggests using stick-on badges instead
Felicia Wong also suggested using embroidered or stick-on Jalur Gemilang badges to avoid injuries and problems like theft or loss.
She pointed out that the current government-issued badges can be risky, especially for younger students who may not know how to handle sharp objects properly.
“The pin can damage school uniforms if it rusts, and students could get hurt if the pin falls off and they accidentally step or sit on it. While we support efforts to build patriotism among students, their safety should come first. Even though the badge is free, parents worry that if it breaks or gets damaged, they’ll have to spend money to replace it.”
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