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New Straits Times
17 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Penang DAP call for action against Akmal for defying police directive
KEPALA BATAS: Penang DAP has urged police to act against Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Salleh for leading a procession here yesterday, which the party claims defied police instructions and disrupted public order. State DAP chairman Steven Sim described the march as provocative and unlawful, saying it undermined efforts to foster unity during the Merdeka month. "DAP Penang urges police to take action against him to send a message that such provocations will not be tolerated in this country, especially during the Merdeka month. "We will lodge a police report over today's (yesterday's) incident," he said. Sim said the procession was held despite a directive from the Penang police chief advising against any gatherings in the area yesterday. He said that while DAP respected the police's instruction and refrained from mobilising members and supporters, only local representatives were present in Kepala Batas to distribute the Jalur Gemilang as part of Merdeka-month celebrations. Yesterday afternoon, Akmal led more than 300 Umno, Bersatu and Pas supporters on a 1.4km march with the Jalur Gemilang in hand, chanting "Pertahan Jalur Gemilang" and "Merdeka" along the way. The event followed a recent controversy involving an upside-down Jalur Gemilang at a hardware store here. On Wednesday, state police chief Datuk Azizee Ismail warned the public against joining the gathering, urging them to stay away for safety reasons and to preserve public order, and to await the prosecutor's decision on the case.
Focus Malaysia
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
Defiant Akmal confronted by counter protest, chastises party guilty of flying flag upside down hailed as hero
SUCH was the sentiment expressed by UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh after having led a group of about 300 protestors in a 1.4km 'peaceful' march to the hardware shop in Kepala Batas, mainland Penang 'to salvage the pride of our Jalur Gemilang'. This came about after Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) director Zaid Malek who did not mince his words in wanting to school the firebrand Merlimau state assemblyman that his actions are unlawful and to protect the store owner from bullying and intimidation, 'set up a human barricade' of his own. In fact, Malay news portal MalaysiaGazette reported that a war of words erupted after Zaid and his group displayed 'Jangan bersikap Zionist' (Don't behave like Zionists) placards to the UMNO and Bersatu Youth rally-goers. At the very outset, newly-appointed Penang police chief Datuk Azizee Ismail has urged all parties to wait for a decision by the deputy public prosecutor's office on the allegation of the Jalur Gemilang being flown upside down and to refrain from any actions that could heighten tensions. Editor's Note: Akmal reacted to the call with the response that 'we only come to see the big flag (put up by DAP at the hardware shop premises) and just to eat nasi kandar 😉' 'The party guilty of flying the Malaysian flag upside down are looked up upon as heroes!' lamented Akmal on his Facebook page. 'Those who defend the Malaysian flag are considered Zionists. That's indeed their nature. It's true that Buang exists (Editor's Note: Probably referring to Zaid as a traitor in reference to a treacherous cop character in P. Ramlee's 1958 film Sarjan Hassan).' Reacting to the Russia-trained medical doctor's having defied the police order not to hold any gathering in Kepala Batas yesterday (Aug 14), Penang DAP is expected to file a police report today (Aug 15) against such action. 'Penang DAP urges the police to take strict action against him (Akmal) to send a signal that provocative acts like this are not allowed in this country, especially during the National Day month which is supposed to promote unity and not division,' the party's state chairman Steven Sim Chee Keong pointed out in a statement. 'As part of the state government, Penang DAP fully respects the (police) directive and has not mobilised members and supporters to attend the rally. 'Only local representatives were present to distribute the Jalur Gemilang in conjunction with the National Day celebration month as an effort to foster the spirit of patriotism and strengthen the unity of the people.' In his message to his 'troops' earlier, Akmal has reiterated his 'No fear, No surrender' slogan – a hint that he is unwilling to let the issue die down that easily – which he popularised to rally protestors during the KK Super Mart sock-gate ordeal. 'We came not because of the political banner but because of our beloved Jalur Gemilang,' he penned on his Facebook page. 'Thank you to the police, the FRU (Federal Reserve Unit) and everyone involved,. We've successfully proven that we can assemble peacefully. No fear, No surrender!' – Aug 15, 2025
The Star
19 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Flag gathering sees tensions but no violence
Making a stand: Dr Muhamad Akmal (centre) leading members of Umno Youth, Bersatu and PAS representatives as they march towards the barricaded shoplots in Kepala Batas. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star 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.
The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
‘Disrupt the peace, face arrest'
GEORGE TOWN: Anyone who attends a planned gathering outside a hardware shop in Bertam, Kepala Batas, faces arrrest. Penang police chief Comm Datuk Azizee Ismail, who said action would be taken against anyone who incites tension and disrupts peace outside the shop today. The shop is involved in a controversy when the owner was filmed holding a pole with the national flag upside down. In a statement, Comm Datuk Azizee advised against joining the gathering to ensure community safety and maintain public order. 'Just wait for the Attorney General's Chambers to take the next step. He said the investigation papers had been submitted to the Chambers on Monday. 'Action will be taken against any individual or group found to be breaking the law or causing disturbances, riots or criminal acts in accordance with existing legal provisions,' he said. Comm Azizee said to date, a total of 38 police reports have been lodged nationwide – 17 in Penang and 21 in other states. He said police are also investigating the person who recorded and circulated the video. On Saturday, the shop owner Pang Chin Tian, 59, was arrested following accusations that he had improperly displayed the flag. He has been released on police bail. On Tuesday, Penang DAP put up a giant Jalur Gemilang at the shop, adding that it planned to mobilise its members to 'defend' the business premises. This prompted Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh to say he would turn up today to see if DAP had hung the promised flag 'correctly.' He also called on others to join him at the gathering at a night market some 2km from the shop. MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said DAP's move could draw large numbers of politically charged individuals to a location already under intense public scrutiny. This, he said, would drastically increase the risk of direct confrontation. The issue first came to light after a 21-second video, showing two men outside the hardware shop with the Jalur Gemilang upside down, went viral.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Police warn against joining Kepala Batas flag gathering
GEORGE TOWN: State police chief Datuk Azizee Ismail has warned the public against joining a planned gathering in Kepala Batas tomorrow, linked to the upside-down Jalur Gemilang incident at a hardware store. He urged the public to stay away to protect residents' safety and preserve public order, and await the prosecutor's decision on the case. "We will take stern action against any party that violates the law or causes disruptions, unrest, or engages in criminal activities," he said. The case is currently being investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, he said. The investigation file was submitted on Aug 11 after 38 reports, including 17 in Penang, were lodged. Yesteday, Penang DAP warned against any third party trying to exploit the case. State DAP chairman Steven Sim Chee Keong said the matter had been handed over to the police for investigation and there was no room for anyone to take advantage of the situation. Sim said that if anyone tried to threaten or disturb Penang residents over the issue, the party would respond by going to the ground with the people and distributing the Jalur Gemilang as a symbol of unity. Sim's statement followed remarks by Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, who said he would hold a "class" for a hardware store owner if the latter was not charged by Thursday. Besides Umno Youth, Bersatu Youth had also indicated that they would join the gathering. The 59-year-old hardware store owner had said that the incident was unintentional and said he was ready to face any consequences.
