MCA Youth lodges police reports over Jalur Gemilang mishap and threats

The Star

4 days ago

PETALING JAYA: Selangor and Penang MCA Youth have filed police reports against Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh and Terengganu Umno Youth over a social media post displaying the Jalur Gemilang with 12 stripes instead of the official 14.
Petaling Jaya MCA Youth chief Andy Teoh stated that the first report was personal, concerning an Aug 11 video in which Dr Akmal allegedly made a threatening statement to the Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) over a flat-related case involving a hardware store owner.
Teoh noted that Dr Akmal had previously expressed his intention to visit a hardware shop owner in Kepala Batas, Penang, to "teach" him how to display the national flag correctly.
Teoh emphasised that politicians and assemblymen have no authority to interfere with the DPP's work, and such actions amounted to obstruction of justice.
The second report pertained to Terengganu Umno Youth's Facebook post featuring the 12-stripe Jalur Gemilang, which was seen as disrespectful to the national flag.
Teoh remarked that Dr Akmal had previously called for police action in similar flag incidents involving others and should be held to the same standard by voluntarily suspending himself until investigations are completed.
"Now that Terengganu Umno has displayed the flag incorrectly, the Umno Youth chief should be treated the same way and suspended from his position pending investigation," Teoh said after lodging the report at the Petaling Jaya district police headquarters on Tuesday (Aug 12) night.
Four police reports were lodged by Teoh, Petaling Jaya MCA Youth deputy secretary Lok Cha Jung, Penang MCA Youth chief Sit Jie Hao, and Bangi MCA Youth chief Yang Kok Bao. MCA Youth divisions from Petaling Jaya, Bangi, Hulu Langat, Sekinchan, Klang, Sungai Besar, Pandan, and Penang members also attended to show support.
Sit Jie Hao stated that elected representatives should protect the people, not threaten them.
"The police are already investigating, and it is up to them to decide whether to charge the shop owner. Dr Akmal's threats amount to online bullying.
"Penang does not welcome him; he should focus on serving his own constituency instead of meddling in others' affairs," he said, adding that without a report, police might not act.
Yang Kok Bao stressed that the law should be applied equally.
"The shop owner has already apologised. We hope the Terengganu Umno case will be investigated in the same way," he said.
Klang MCA Youth chief Sean Wong Zhi Xuan noted that Sin Chew Daily's editor-in-chief had previously been detained over a misplacement of the national flag.
"Both the Sin Chew editor-in-chief and the shop owner have faced the consequences of their actions. Now that Terengganu Umno Youth has made a mistake, the police should investigate equally and without double standards," he said.
The controversy began when a 59-year-old hardware shop owner in Kepala Batas, Penang, was investigated for flying the Jalur Gemilang upside down outside his premises.
He said the mistake occurred while measuring a flagpole and was corrected shortly after.
Dr Akmal, a vocal critic of improper flag displays, had announced plans to protest at the shop.
On Tuesday, Terengganu Umno Youth faced online ridicule after posting a social media image of the Jalur Gemilang with only 12 stripes instead of the official 14, despite previously condemning others for similar errors.
In a later Facebook video, Dr Akmal confirmed the mistake came from a Terengganu Umno Youth member who designed the poster.
He called for the authorities to investigate and prosecute the individual.