PUTRAJAYA: The spirit of patriotism among Malaysians should be displayed openly.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said patriotism was important as it brought the people regardless of race and religion together in unity.

He said that in conjunction with the Merdeka month, the people should wave or display the Jalur Gemilang as there are various factors to why doing so is meaningful.

Najib said: “One of the main factor is that the Jalur Gemilang is our symbol of pride, and it represents the spirit of the country, aside from being a national identity.”

He added that it was also pride, respect and a symbol of victory when one waves the national flag besides cultivating love and patriotism for the nation.

Najib also said: “It is not a patterned fabric but it (Jalur Gemilang) tells a story, and it carries a thousand of meanings. That is why when we display the flag, it brings pride to the fighters who fought for our Independence, and who placed a foundation ?to build the country that we are living in now.”

Earlier, he had launched the wave the Jalur Gemilang campaign and was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

The launching of the campaign in conjunction with the Merdeka month was also attended the the Cabinet ministers and more than 5,000 civil servants.

-NST