A Jalur Gemilang proudly flies at the entrance of a house in my area, as it had for some years now whenever Merdeka draws near. This year, there's a small but significant difference - a neat notice beside the flag states "Not because of Kadir !'

There has been much discussion lately about racism in Malaysia, with sad accounts of those who really should now better being the culprits in many cases. There is much that should have been done to correct the sorry state of affairs, much that those in power need to consider seriously in order that the situation gets better.

Whilst I can understand the feelings of the victims, I disagree with those who declare that as a result, they feel they no longer want to fly the Malaysian flag.

The very goal of the racist culprits was to do exactly that - make the victims feel less Malaysian, feel that the country is not theirs. Why let them succeed?

I flew the Jalur Gemilang outside my home for years, sometimes starting as early as the beginning of August. My car had one too. But this year...there had been nothing till this afternoon. Kadir's ill-conceived comments had affected me.

I once read an article about dealing with work pressures. One example dealt with not mulling over problems due to a bad boss even when one was supposed to be enjoying a vacation on a sunny beach. If I recall correctly, the lesson was condensed into just one line:

Don't let the 'illegitimate offsprings' steal your beaches.

Kadir does not own the right to fly the Jalur Gemilang proudly to celebrate Merdeka whatever his viewpoints may be. The right belongs to each and every citizen.

The racists do not own the right to feel that one belongs to Malaysia, and vice versa. Malaysia was built on the blood, sweat and tears of all our forefathers; we have all earned the right to be here.

For the sake of the country, and the numerous non-racist Malaysians of all races, I think we should not so meekly surrender the right to fly the flag proudly.