Govt backbencher urges fair action over upside-down Jalur Gemilang incident
Lim Guan Eng (PH-Bagan) said the punishment imposed should be consistent with the action taken against a ministry that had previously committed a similar offence.
"The ministry has indeed made efforts to carry out reforms, and these efforts should be supported and encouraged.
"I hope the ministry will be able to address the issue involving the upside-down display of the flag by the school in Port Dickson appropriately.
"If the ministry intends to take disciplinary action against the school, it must ensure that the same action is also taken against a ministry that commits a similar mistake, to avoid any double standards or perceptions of preferential treatment," he said in his debate speech on the 13th Malaysia Plan in the Dewan Rakyat today.
The school had previously issued a public apology over the upside-down display of the Jalur Gemilang at its premises.
In a joint statement, the school board, Parent-Teacher Association and school administration expressed deep regret over the incident, which they described as an unintentional mistake.
They said the incident occurred on Aug 1 when a school worker mistakenly installed one of the flags upside down.
Meanwhile, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the ministry would take firm action once it receives the full investigation report on the matter.
She said the incident was serious, as all parties had been repeatedly reminded of the importance and sensitivity of the national flag.
Police have also identified a 30-year-old man believed to be involved in the incident.
The case is being investigated under Section 504 of the Penal Code, Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955, Section 5 of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1963, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
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