Negaraku – to stand or not to stand

So the debate rages on about whether someone who stands up or doesn't when Negaraku, the national anthem, is played is a patriot or nationalists.

Here's what I think – it doesn't matter.

Just because someone decides not to stand when the national anthem is playing doesn't mean he or she is any less patriotic to the country than someone who stands.

It really depends on the true intentions of the person who is standing up (or not). Is he standing up out of respect for people around him or because he really loves the country?

It’s just like the example of religion. Just because someone prays five times a day doesn't mean he or she is an exceptionally good Muslim.

And it doesn't mean someone who doesn't pray five times a day is any less of a Muslim than someone who does pray that many times a day.

What do you say of a person who decides to stand up in the cinema when the national anthem plays but always tries to cheat and skirt around from paying income tax?

How about someone who might stand up during the national anthem but who also tries to bribe a policeman when he is stopped for speeding?

And if someone who stands up during the national anthem but couldn't care less about how government policies are formed and if they are done so in the proper way or not?

There are many ways to see if someone is patriotic or a nationalist. He could be a vocal person in making sure the government of the day is transparent.

He could be someone who dedicates his life to making sure that the underprivileged citizens of the country get all the help and assistance they require.

He could also be someone who decides to run for public office (for whatever political party or even as an independent) because he wants to make a positive difference.

I do not believe that patriotism and nationalism can be forced on to a people, just like how faith in a religion cannot be shoved down someone's throat.

You can force someone to stand up when Negaraku is played just like how you can force someone not to convert out of an official religion.

But you can never force what is truly felt in that person's heart. If religion is supposed to have no compulsion, neither does love for one's country.

Personally, if the Negaraku is played, I would stand up because I do love Malaysia, I am Malaysian and I do feel it is right to do so when the anthem is played.

And if I am in another country and their national anthem happens to play, I would stand up, too, out of respect. But it doesn't mean I have changed my citizenship.

So live and let live. Malaysians can show their love for the nation in many ways and in anyway. Let’s not fight over something quite petty.

Happy Malaysia Day fellow Malaysians! – September 19, 2014.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.