When the Jalur Gemilang was slowly raised during the 2025 BWF World Championships podium ceremony in Paris, I could see on the TV screen our triumphant mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei fighting hard to hold back tears while softly singing “Negaraku, tanah tumpahnya darahku..” standing on the podium.

I was emotionally overwhelmed, feeling excessively elated and proud, as with millions of fellow Malaysians witnessing the historical moment live on their TV or device screens, the gloom over recent controversies surrounding the national flag completely dispelled.

Through a viral social media video, I could see that many Chinese Malaysians watching the match while enjoying their dinner at a hawker center spontaneously rose to their feet the moment Negaraku was played and the Jalur Gemilang raised, after the mixed doubles pair won. No need for any politician to instruct the crowd to sing out loud our national anthem in full manifestation of national identification and pride as true Anak Malaysia.

Right then would anyone still question the patriotism of Chinese Malaysians?

The same thing happened also in Malay, Indian, and mixed communities. Many of our Malay compatriots watching the game at roadside eateries cheered for the victory of Tang Jie and Ee Wei—a true expression of solidarity irrespective of race and religion.

I could also see in a different video how a Malay family hopped in jubilation, loudly calling out their names, when the doubles pair claimed the final victory in the court.

On the Malaysia Airlines flight returning from Paris, the good news was announced and the flight attendants proudly waved the national flags as they marched up and down the cabin, filling everyone onboard with joy and pride.

The government must sternly punish and show no mercy to rogue politicians, or it will convey a skewed message that spreading hatred and lies is completely excusable, defeating any government effort to woo investments.

And as the nation gleefully celebrated the victory in one accord, the Jalur Gemilang that took the form of a shuttlecock slowly rose inside the heart of each and every Malaysian. National pride bound us together tightly, just like durian seeds held together by the richly aromatic flesh!

Although our women’s doubles Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan failed to bring back our second gold in the finals, their silver medal was a testimony of their enduring effort striving for national glory in a hard-fought three-game match.

Such manifestation of Malaysia Boleh spirit through the ages inspired Malaysians of all ethnic backgrounds to stay united and never give up hope.

Sadly, PAS’ Manjoi assemblyman Mohd Hafez Sabri attempted to instigate intercommunity sentiment on Merdeka day by alleging in a statement without seeking verification that the Perak Sultan’s assaulter was a Chinese.

Even as the Islamic party has struggled to mend its relations with the local Chinese community, people like Hafez have repeatedly made the Chinese community a convenient target of Malay society’s wrath. Does anyone still think they stand any chance to win back the trust and support of Chinese voters?

Although Hafez said he had amended the original post after realizing his mistake, his ill motive was starkly exposed, and no explanations could win him forgiveness.

As if that’s not enough, he never admitted his fault, repented, or tendered a public apology, but instead accuse others of malignantly circulating screenshots of his initial post.

At a time when the line between truth and fake news is obscured, a rumor spread through a smartphone can instantly ignite the flame of fury of a nation.

The recent social upheavals in neighboring Indonesia should serve as a stern warning to our politicians not to pawn our hard-earned national harmony and unity for their own selfish agendas.

The Indonesian violence started after a video of cheering lawmakers after an assembly sitting was infinitely magnified by misinformation and rumors that instantly set public emotions ablaze, unabated by facts and explanations thereafter. As a consequence, the country paid a hefty price for the uncontrolled outbursts.

This serves as a warning to us that the government must sternly punish and show no mercy to rogue politicians, or it will convey a skewed message that spreading hatred and lies is completely excusable, defeating any government effort to woo investments.