
Akmal now under probe over viral video posting
Penang police chief Comm Datuk Azizee Ismail said Bukit Mertajam police received a report on Aug 12 regarding a video that went viral on Facebook under the account name 'Akmal Salleh'.
'In the video, Akmal is said to have made a statement that could be categorised as hate content, which has the potential to cause unrest among the community and disrupt public peace,' he said in a statement yesterday.
Comm Azizee added that police have initiated an investigation under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948 and Section 506 of the Penal Code.
He said the initial investigation was conducted by Penang police, but the case was taken over by the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department yesterday.
To date, two reports have been lodged over the matter in Penang.
Dr Muhamad Akmal has also been summoned by the police to have his statement recorded over a demonstration in Kepala Batas, Penang.
In a Facebook post, he said an investigating officer from Bukit Aman had contacted him to request that he provide his statement at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters.
On Thursday, Dr Muhamad Akmal led a group, which consisted of Umno Youth and Bersatu members, among others, in a march over an incident in which a Jalur Gemilang was displayed upside down at a hardware store.
The demonstration passed without major incident, except for a brief war of words between the group and representatives from Lawyers for Liberty.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Free Malaysia Today
4 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Cabinet agrees to act against ‘irresponsible politicians', says minister
Science, technology and innovation minister Chang Lih Kang criticised an 'irresponsible politician' for stoking tensions during the Merdeka month and for bullying. PETALING JAYA : The Cabinet decided yesterday to have firm action taken against 'irresponsible politicians' inciting sentiments over the recent Jalur Gemilang controversy, according to federal minister Chang Lih Kang. Chang, who is minister for science, technology and innovation, said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and other ministers were 'very concerned' that the issue would dampen public enthusiasm for National Day. Referring to reports of a police investigation regarding the controversy, he said: 'We shall wait and see whether anyone will eventually be charged in court,' Malaysiakini reported him as saying in a speech in Klang today. In a video on social media, Chang took further shots at an 'irresponsible politician' for stoking tensions during the Merdeka month. 'It's not only irresponsible, it is an act of bullying. Everyone knows who I am talking about.' His remarks appeared to be about Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh, who led a group to a hardware shop in Penang after its owner was reported to have accidentally hung the national flag upside down. 'We are a nation and society governed by the rule of law. If there is a problem, lodge a police report and let the authorities take action. 'You are not an enforcement agency. You cannot just bring a group of people to someone's shop, disrupt their business and bully them,' Chang said.


New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Cabinet to act against "irresponsible politicians" over upside-down flag incident, says minister
KUALA LUMPUR: The Cabinet has decided that stern action will be taken against "irresponsible politicians" who incite public sentiment over the upside-down flag incident in Penang, reports said. According to Malaysiakini yesterday, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang said the issue was specifically discussed during the Cabinet meeting on Friday. Chang was quoted as saying that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and other Cabinet members were deeply concerned that the incident could dampen public enthusiasm for the Merdeka Day celebrations. "As such, it was decided that stern action will be taken against these irresponsible politicians. "Someone was already summoned by the police yesterday to give a statement and is now being investigated under three laws. "We will wait and see if any individual will eventually be charged in court," he said. The report said Chang made the remarks during a speech at an event in Klang. Chang also criticised "irresponsible politicians" for stoking sentiments during Merdeka month by exaggerating the upside-down flag incident. He added that he believed no one would deliberately hang the national flag upside down. It was reported that Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh recently had his statement recorded at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters here on Friday over the assembly in Kepala Batas, Penang, last Thursday. His lawyer, Aizat Azam, had said that the Merlimau assemblyman had fully cooperated and answered all some 80 questions posed by the investigating officer. He had also said Dr Akmal is being investigated under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948, Section 506 of the Penal Code, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.


New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Jalur Gemilang: Don't take the law into your own hands
KUALA LUMPUR: The public has been urged not to take the law into their own hands or engage in unlawful acts against anyone committing offences related to the Jalur Gemilang flag, says Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. He said that all matters involving investigations, prosecutions, and court decisions must be left entirely to the authorities, following a reminder issued by the Attorney-General's Chambers (A-GC) yesterday. "Do not act as the police, lawyers, or judge. It is wrong. Leave it to the police to investigate, the A-GC to prosecute, and the courts to decide," he said after launching the Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya-level National Month and Fly the Jalur Gemilang Flag 2025 campaign at Institut Pendidikan Guru (IPG) Kampus Bahasa Melayu today. The launch was also attended by Communications Ministry deputy secretary-general (strategic communications and creative industry) Nik Kamaruzaman Nik Husin; Information Department director-general Julina Johan; and IPG Kampus Bahasa Melayu director Dr Masitah Mohammad Yusof. Fahmi said that some people had been called in by the police following a rally held to "teach" certain parties a lesson, but further action would be handled solely by the authorities. He said Malaysians should address issues related to the Jalur Gemilang respectfully and constructively. "As Malaysians, we can also play our part. If we see a Jalur Gemilang that has fallen, we should raise it. If it is faded, replace it with a new one. If it is improperly flown, correct it ourselves. Let us not sneer, curse, or act uncivilly. We must demonstrate our patriotic spirit during the national month while reminding one another of proper conduct," he added. Fahmi said that the programme included the Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya-level Merdeka Jalur Gemilang Convoy, comprising 73 vehicles from the Communications Ministry's departments and agencies, the police, Fire and Rescue Department, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN), National Security Council (MKN), Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), Suzuki V-Strom Malaysia motorsports club, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), and the Lembah Pantai Madani Community. Additional side events included the Safe Internet campaign, aimed at raising awareness of ethical online practices among teacher training institute students. Jalur Gemilang kits were also distributed to IPG senior management and representatives of 12 Madani communities in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya as part of the "1 House 1 Jalur Gemilang" initiative. - Bernama