KUCHING: Police have received a report against some diners who refused to stand when the national anthem, Negaraku, was played.
Sarawak Deputy Police Commissioner Datuk Dev Kumar who confirmed the report, said under the National Anthem Act 1967 action can be taken against those who show disrespect (such as not standing up) when the national anthem is played or sung.
Under Section 8 (3) of the National Anthem Act 1968, “any person who knowingly shows disrespect towards the National Anthem in any public place, shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding one hundred ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month.”
During the launch of a local political party at a restaurant on Sunday, members of Sarawak for Sarawakians (S4S) at a table refused to stand up when the national anthem was played.
One of them later posted a comment on Facebook (FB) that they didn’t stand because it is the Malaysian national anthem. But when ‘Fair Land Sarawak’ (former state anthem) was played, they all stood up.
The FB commenter said Sarawak wants to be independent as it has been controlled by Malaya for so long. He also said the state government should celebrate 916 (Sept 16) instead of 831 (August 31) as Independence Day.
