KUALA LUMPUR, July 12 — The Jalur Gemilang was finally flying proudly at Dataran Merdeka yesterday evening — four days after a tattered national flag was hastily removed by City Hall.
There was high drama earlier in the day when a red-faced mayor Datuk Seri Mhd Amin Nordin Abdul Aziz deferred the weekly flag-raising ceremony to 5pm after the contractor failed to supply a replacement flag.
But things were set right at the second ceremony when a “temporary” Jalur Gemilang was hoisted.
Mhd Amin said Reez Enterprise, contracted to maintain the flagpole, was in the process of getting a permanent flag.
“We are looking at making future flags out of nylon polyester because it is stronger than the existing twinkle satin,” he said.
The flag was removed on Friday after Facebook user Regu Natesan had reported it to be in tatters, news that went viral on social media.
Malay Mail had frontpaged the unprecendented occurrence on Saturday which saw a shocked reaction from Malaysians and tourists alike dismayed over the missing national flag.
Their frustation mounted when Mhd Nordin had said that the replacement flag would only be hoisted yesterday with many perplexed by the unexplained delay.
Earlier yesterday, Mhd Amin arrived cheerily at about 9am only to scowl when he found that the ceremony had to be postponed by eight hours as the new flag was still being sewn.
“The flag was supposed to be raised at 10am but it won't be,” he fumed as the eighth tallest flagpole in the world stood without a flag.
Malay Mail Afternoon E-Paper reported yesterday that Mhd Amin had said City Hall may review its contract with Reez Enterprise over the incident.
He had said that he had informed the contractor to make 10 flags in the event of emergencies but they were only able to make two.
“I’m going to review the contractor. This is a specialised job and our workers cannot do it. We may need to have two contractors for this.”
The Jalur Gemilang at Dataran Merdeka weighs 25kg and measures 18.3m by 9.1m.
“We follow a schedule and change it every two months. It could have ripped due to bad weather. Unforeseen circumstances such as strong winds, heavy rainfall and hail storms play a role too.”
City Hall pays the contractor RM6,900 for every flag change which is inclusive of the flag cost, maintenance of the flag-raising motor and manpower.
“The flag itself costs RM8,000 but because we have an agreement with the contractor which includes the other flags, the price is lower,” he had said.
“Not anyone can go up and change, it needs expertise. Three people have to go up to the middle platform, where the controls are.”
He said the flag couldn’t be replaced over the weekend because the winds were too strong.
“It was too risky and as much as we respect the flag, I don’t think people’s lives should be put at risk,” he had said.
“It’s easier to take it down than to raise it.”
When told that the tattered flag and empty flagpole were an embarrassment to the people, Mhd Amin had said people should report such incidents if it recurred and hoped they would be more understanding.
“If they (the people) know a team that can do the job immediately, regardless of the risks and weather condition, let me know. I am willing to pay them. If not, do they have any other suggestions?”
