Kuala lumpur: The spirit of patriotism among Malaysians should be nurtured consistently throughout the year through media content, community programmes and the involvement of various stakeholders, rather than only during National Day and Malaysia Day (HKHM) celebrations, say experts.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) professor Datuk Prof Dr Azizul Halim Yahya emphasized that efforts to cultivate love for the nation should become part of daily life instead of being confined to seasonal campaigns centred on August. He highlighted the media's role as a powerful platform in shaping public opinion and its responsibility to continue producing content that promoted patriotism, unity, and national identity.
Dr Azizul stated, "The media can play a significant role in strengthening patriotism because it reaches people from all walks of life. The content delivered should be positive and capable of inspiring love for the country." He made these remarks during an appearance on Bernama TV's Ruang Bicara programme.
Further elaborating, Azizul Halim pointed out that with social media enabling the rapid dissemination of information, cooperation between traditional media and digital platforms should be strengthened to ensure credible and impactful content reaches the public. He noted that many stories highlighting unity, mutual assistance, and the success of Malaysia's multiracial society and community activities occur daily, but not all receive news coverage.
Azizul Halim also suggested the production of more patriotism-themed content in formats resonating with the public, such as dramas, films, documentaries, history quizzes, and patriotic song competitions. These creative formats could effectively deliver the message, especially to the younger generation.
Meanwhile, UiTM political and social media analyst Assoc Prof Dr Sara Chinnasamy remarked that efforts to foster patriotism require the cooperation of all parties, including educational institutions, community organisations, and local communities. She advocated for more effective use of social media platforms through creative content such as digital campaigns, virtual museums, historical documentaries, online competitions, and community programmes involving participation from people of different races and generations.
Dr Sara expressed that such an approach would not only strengthen the spirit of patriotism but also encourage active public participation in fostering unity and national identity from a young age.