Prime minister's wife Rosmah Mansor said she felt ashamed of the younger generation who do not respect the national anthem Negaraku.

"I often see our younger generation do not care or continue to chat when the Negaraku is played without any sense of shame while most others stand up straight in respect of the national anthem.

"We cannot expect foreigners to respect our flag if we do not respect the Negaraku and our own flag.

"I feel ashamed when I see the younger generation direspect the Negaraku," she said in her speech at the closing of the Malaysia Dihatiku programme in Kuala Lumpur last night.

Rosmah was referring to the incident where nine Australians stripped down to their Malaysian flag underpants during the Formula 1 Malaysia Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit on Oct 2.

They have been detained and are being investigated for public indecency and disrespecting the Malaysian flag.

In her speech, Rosmah also advised youths not to be divided and to aid the government in its unity efforts.

She called on them to not give up in their efforts, regardless of the challenges they faced, in order develop the country.

"Those who regard themselves as patriotic Malaysians must be of good behaviour, determined to achieve success in life and aid the government's efforts to maintain unity," Rosmah said.