Chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said though shops and other building owners were encouraged to fly the national flag, the state had no intention to penalise those who fail to do so.

He said owners of business premises should voluntarily display the flag as a sign of solidarity and loyalty to the country.

“In Penang, there is no such policy (of imposing penalties). We believe that having such a policy might be counterproductive.

“Any programme to inculcate love for the country should not be undertaken using force and many have questioned whether flying the flag is the only way to show our patriotism.

“This matter has been debated over the past 10 to 20 years. Over here, we encourage people to fly the Jalur Gemilang as a sign of unity, loyalty and love for the country.

“There is no compulsion,” Chow said after flagging off a motorcycle convoy in conjunction with the state-level Merdeka Ride function at Masjid Jamek Jelutong here.

Chow was commenting on reports quoting Ipoh mayor Rumaizi Baharin that business premises in Ipoh that refuse to comply with the notice on installing the Jalur Gemilang in conjunction with the National Month would be compounded RM250 under Section 107(2) of the Local Government Act.

On the Merdeka Ride programme, Chow said it was a commendable effort to gather participants of various ages and backgrounds to ride on motorcycles to reach out to the community.

A total of 200 motorcycles were in the convoy which is going on a tour of six mosques in five districts in the state to enliven the National Month and mosque activities.