IPOH: The first thing Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu (pic) will be doing after his swearing-in ceremony on Monday (Aug 30) is to speak with the national paralympic athletes currently in Tokyo.

       Faizal said he would probably do a video call to speak with the athletes competing in the games after going into his office.

       "I would like to personally speak to them, and raise their spirits. I spoke to gold medalist Bonnie Bunyau Gustin, and congratulated him on his win, and for the rest I plan to video call them as well," he said when contacted on Sunday (Aug 29).

       Separately, over 2,000 streamers with the essence and spirit of the Rukun Negara was proudly seen flying at the Tambun parliamentary constituency, as well as in the small town of Chenderiang.

       The idea was mooted by Faizal, who is the Tambun MP, as well as the Chenderiang assemblyman.

       He said he felt really sad, that these days people were hardly displaying the national flag, be it at their homes or on their vehicles.

       Faizal said he was concerned over the lack of patriotism shown, and therefore the streamers were a reminder of the spirit of celebrating National Day.

       “The streamers are to remind us to rekindle our love for the nation," he added.