SINGAPOREANS ARE DISRESPECTING THE NATIONAL FLAG

If you don't like the government, for whatever reasons, it is your right. Give your middle finger to anyone who suggests you should pack and leave. But if you don't like your country, then seriously, you should just go and be happy elsewhere.

Our national flag is the embodiment of our country. It is not just a piece of cloth. It represents us together as a nation of people with shared ideals and values enshrined in the constitution, the history we experienced, and our hopes and aspiration for our future. The flag has no political affiliation. It represents you and I, and all Singaporeans collectively. Throughout history, people have fought and died for their flag. We are so fortunate to have never gone into battles, but never trivialise the many who have sacrificed for the nation in ways that are never publicised, such as our frontline workers in this pandemic.

Honouring the flag is an act of patriotism.  To fly the flag is to show pride, love, commitment and loyalty to country. A flag raising ceremony is not an exercise in brain-washing, but a show of confidence as a people, in ourselves, in our past, in our future, and our place in the world.

Read : "The right to burn the flag"... Alex Au

Alex, a political commentator and gay activist, wrote this unforgiveable article in 2013. He intellectualised his right to burn the flag which, in his view, is nothing but a symbol of the government of the day. Essentially it is a PAP thing that the ruling party uses to coalesce the people behind their power. He made the distinction of government, which is aka the ruling power, and the nation, which is the people. There is nothing wrong to burn a piece of cloth representing the ruling party, according to Alex.

But Alex, in typical Liberal high altitude balloon, failed miserably to distinguish state or government flags from national flags. In other countries, mostly EU, the nations evolved from ruling kingdoms. All these kings or lords have coat-of-arms, which are symbols of their aristocratic family. When nations were formed under these kings, their state, or government flags, have the king's coat-of-arms imprinted on the flag. These are the flags flown at government premises. They have the same flags, but without the coat-of-arms, which are called the civil flags. These are the national flags the civilians use. Disrespecting the government flag is one thing, disrespecting the national flag is another. Many other countries, such as Singapore, have only one national flag. Our red and white is not the government flag, but belongs to the nation.

It is disappointing to see Alex promoting the burning of the flag in 2013. At about the same time, another social activist, Alfan Sa'at, held a stage performance where the national flag was timed to drop onto the floor when the curtains close. Both of these are desecration of the flag of the highest order. It is a slap in the face of all Singaporeans. Alex and Alfan should read "The Man Without a Country" by Edward Hale.

The flag is a national symbol of the highest esteem that we have to respect. How this is done is regulated by the Singapore Arms And Flag And National Anthem Act. The celebration of our National Day brings out the best of Singaporeans to show patriotism by displaying the national flag. There are'nt as many flags out 2021 as compared to prior years. Each year, I observe many Singaporeans are disrespecting the flag, thankfully not intentionally, but out of ignorance. I share my observation and explain why.

First and foremost, a national flag must be flown on a flagpole and in front of premises. It must not be flown at night, unless illuminated. During the period Jul 1st to Sep 30th, it need not be flown on flagpole, and does not need illumination at night.

Here's where folks get it wrong:

The flag is almost touching the floor. It is touching the flower pot. A flag touching the floor is a serious offence. All uniformed personnel understand this very well. At no time during the flag raising or flag lowering must the personnel tasked with the job allow the flag to touch the ground, on pain of a serious charge. The flag is not allowed to touch anything near it. Touching the flower pot soils the flag.

The flag must be hung against a wall. A solid wall prevents fluttering. This flag is hung on an outdoor sun shade, open to physical contact with people passing by.
Flag must never be carried horizontally. The only time this is done is when the flag is drapped over a casket. By not securing a hung flag, it can fly horizontally.

Another example of hung but not secured, allowing the flag to fly horizontally.
Another 'no no' is the close proximity to your laundry of undies.

The breach is only in respect of not backed against a wall. But it is also disrespectful because it is too near the ground, although the law does not have a height metric. It can also be brushed by passers-by, licked or smelled by a dog, and heaven forbid, rubbed by the garbage trash cart.

This is typical of a gated residence. Why not have the flag on a pole, secure the pole to the gate, and the flag can fly proudly.

These flags are against the wall and well strapped. Very good. But there are 2 breaches.
The flags are hung on the side of the premises. They should be hung in front of the premises.
The flags are hung below some advertisement. Flags must be hung above signages.

This is the same breach of not placing the flag above signages.
When this flag flies, it touches the signage. The flag is not allowed to touch anything near it.

These flags are hung like a Japanese curtain.
It is in breach of not hung against a wall, below signages, and touching people passing by.

When 2 flags are flown on the premises, the state flag must be on right (or on the left of the person viewing it.)
The general rule is, the national flag must be prominent. If there are several flags, the national flag must be higher than the rest.

There is no specific breach. However, going by the rule of giving prominence to national flag, it ought to be positioned at the top.

Securing to a wall should be by strapping. Nailing the flag is vandalising it.

This one is a day and night shot. I have a bitty history with this. About 2 years ago, I noted the flag was tattered and torn and the white was sooted and greyed. The owner must have left the flag unattended for years. I emailed the office to bring it to their attention. I'm glad they have apparently replaced with a new flag. I suspect they never hoist and lower the flag daily. The night shot proves it. The flag was flown without illumination. This is allowed only in Jul/Sep, after which it will be in breach. The law does not specify illumination, but I think should be upward directional narrow beam lighting.

I appreciate the folks who bother to display the flag for the national day celebration. But if we want to show patriotism, let's do it right. Let's give utmost respect to our national flag. Please be guided and correct your errors if necessary and your friends'.