Flag gathering sees tensions but no violence
KEPALA BATAS: The Umno Youth-led gathering outside a hardware shop over a flag issue in Bertam here passed without major incident, except for a brief war of words between the group and representatives from Lawyers for Liberty (LFL).
Tensions flared when several LFL representatives held placards reading 'Jangan Membuli' (Don't bully) and 'Jangan Bersikap Zionist' (Don't behave like a Zionist), prompting a shouting match and name-calling.
Umno members began taunting the LFL group, leading the police to step in and order both sides to disperse, which they did.
Speaking after the gathering, LFL director Zaid Malek said the show of force by Umno was unnecessary, given that the flag incident was an honest mistake.
'His (Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh's) call to charge the hardware shop owner amounts to bullying and harassment,' he said.
'He holds power and influence, and such actions send the wrong message.
'Because of this gathering, all the shops in the row had to shut down for the day, and police had to barricade the road.
'It's an overreaction that affected the local community.'
The gathering was sparked off after the hardware shop owner, Pang Chin Tian, 59, was filmed holding a pole with an inverted national flag.
He was arrested following accusations of improperly displaying the flag and has since been released on police bail.
On Tuesday, Penang DAP erected a giant Jalur Gemilang at the shop and announced plans to mobilise its members to 'defend' the business premises.
Earlier, police cordoned off the service road directly in front of the shop to prevent any untoward incident, resulting in the 30-minute gathering taking place on the adjacent main road – Jalan Datuk Haji Ahmad Badawi.
Dr Muhamad Akmal led chants of 'Merdeka' and 'Sayang Malaysia' as the group marched towards the barricaded shoplots that saw heavy police presence, including personnel from the Federal Reserve Unit.
He was joined by Bersatu and PAS members, who also sang the national anthem.
Dr Muhamad Akmal said the gathering was peaceful and driven by a patriotic spirit.
'We are not here to bully anyone. We want to make it clear that such incidents cannot happen. Our flag is sacred.
'We are here to send a strong message that mistakes like this are unacceptable.
'The flag must never be hung upside down,' he said, adding that the gathering was not about politics or race.
Several Penang DAP leaders and members were also present, distributing Jalur Gemilang flags to passers-by and motorists as they waited for Dr Muhamad Akmal to arrive.
Among those present were Penang DAP vice-chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin, assistant secretary H'ng Mooi Lye, and Chief Minister's special coordinator Lay Hock Peng.
All 10 shoplot operators along the stretch had closed as early as noon on police advice to avoid any untoward incidents.
Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said investigations are ongoing, with 38 police reports lodged nationwide – 17 in Penang and 21 in other states.
He added that the investigation under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 also covered individuals who recorded and shared the footage.
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