Penang DAP: No room for third party to exploit upside-down flag issue
Without naming anyone, state DAP chairman Steven Sim Chee Keong stressed that there is no room for any third party to take advantage of the incident.
He said Penang DAP would take to the ground to stand with the people if anyone attempted to threaten or disturb them over the matter.
"Penang DAP firmly upholds peace and harmony in the state, in line with the spirit of patriotism that we all take pride in.
"The upside-down flag issue in Kepala Batas has been fully handed over to the police to investigate and handle according to the law.
"There is no room for any third party to take advantage of or stir up the situation.
"If anyone attempts to threaten or disturb the people of Penang over this matter, Penang DAP will take to the ground, stand with the people, and respond to provocations by distributing the Jalur Gemilang as a symbol of unity and love for the country," he said in a statement.
Although Sim did not name anyone, his statement came on the heels of Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh's remarks yesterday that he would hold a "class" for a hardware store owner in Penang if the latter was not charged by Thursday.
"The way forward is through the collective determination of every Malaysian, regardless of race or religion, to preserve unity, strengthen harmony, and nurture love for our beloved homeland, Malaysia," he added.
Earlier today, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong urged Akmal to stop issuing threats to "personally educate" a shop owner over an improperly hoisted national flag.
In a Facebook post, Wee had said he feared such public intimidation would only backfire and make Malaysians "think twice" about proudly displaying the Jalur Gemilang.
Yesterday, police had said the hardware store owner, who was detained for allegedly displaying the Jalur Gemilang upside down in front of his premises in Kepala Batas, had been released on police bail.
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New Straits Times
16 minutes ago
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Disseminate correct flag display protocols a better approach
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Siti Kasim takes PMX and Home Minister to task: Why hasn't rogue Akmal been arrested?
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The Jalur Gemilang unites us, not divide
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